Uh oh, spaghettio
Maureen Dowd has written a column blasting chick-lit. Way to be on the cutting edge, Mo!!
On another note, they are predicting our first winter storm of the year here in Joisey, for Tuesday night into Wednesday. Snow-starved schoolchildren will be happy if they get a day off.
On a third note, young writer Robyn Schneider has posted her own New York-living entry on her blog. It comes a few weeks after the aforementioned entry by Jessica. Robyn reports that she is leaving, although she doesn't know for how long. Well, if you can make it here, you'll make it anywhere, and she made it.
Coming tomorrow: Competitiveness among high school honors kids reaches its limit.
Update: So that you don't have to look for it, here's the beginning of Maureen's column:
I was cruising through Borders, looking for a copy of “Nostromo.”
Suddenly I was swimming in pink. I turned frantically from display table to display table, but I couldn’t find a novel without a pink cover. I was accosted by a sisterhood of cartoon women, sexy string beans in minis and stilettos, fashionably dashing about book covers with the requisite urban props — lattes, books, purses, shopping bags, guns and, most critically, a diamond ring.
Was it a Valentine’s Day special?
No, I realized with growing alarm, chick lit was no longer a niche. It had staged a coup of the literature shelves. Hot babes had shimmied into the grizzled old boys’ club, the land of Conrad, Faulkner and Maugham. The store was possessed with the devil spawn of “The Devil Wears Prada.” The blood-red high heel ending in a devil’s pitchfork on the cover of the Lauren Weisberger best seller might as well be driving a stake through the heart of the classics.
I even found Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar” with chick-lit pretty-in-pink lettering.
“Penis lit versus Venus lit,” said my friend Leon Wieseltier, the literary editor of The New Republic, who was with me. “An unacceptable choice.”
2/12/2007
2/09/2007
Blog or not
I don't read blogs as much as I used to, and there very few I check every day. The reason isn't that hard to explain: Most of my friends' blogs are rarely updated anymore, and never very personal.
I have said from the beginning that it's bad for a blog to get too personal. There are really no advantages to putting your personal life on the internet, except, well, more people will read it if you do. But where does that get you?
I'm a writer, so for me it's part of my profession - a nice way to stay in touch with people who are kind enough to read my stories, and it's still a way to update or amuse friends on occasion. But I'm sure the time will come soon when I only post once every few days.
Four years ago, people were very naive about the internet. Several people got fired for blogging about their jobs, or during work time. For some reason, it never occurred to them that the boss could find them on the internet.
Durr!
We haven't heard too many of those stories lately, because people are smarter, or at least less naive.
A few of my friends who used to write about dating have stopped. Probably a good idea.
Some people who started off anonymously have toned down their blogs because they are no longer anonymous.
Now we can wait for the next horror - growing older, having kids, and finding our kids' diaries!
I don't read blogs as much as I used to, and there very few I check every day. The reason isn't that hard to explain: Most of my friends' blogs are rarely updated anymore, and never very personal.
I have said from the beginning that it's bad for a blog to get too personal. There are really no advantages to putting your personal life on the internet, except, well, more people will read it if you do. But where does that get you?
I'm a writer, so for me it's part of my profession - a nice way to stay in touch with people who are kind enough to read my stories, and it's still a way to update or amuse friends on occasion. But I'm sure the time will come soon when I only post once every few days.
Four years ago, people were very naive about the internet. Several people got fired for blogging about their jobs, or during work time. For some reason, it never occurred to them that the boss could find them on the internet.
Durr!
We haven't heard too many of those stories lately, because people are smarter, or at least less naive.
A few of my friends who used to write about dating have stopped. Probably a good idea.
Some people who started off anonymously have toned down their blogs because they are no longer anonymous.
Now we can wait for the next horror - growing older, having kids, and finding our kids' diaries!
2/08/2007
2/07/2007
Wednesday Mailbag
("Monday mailbag" would sound better, but I didn't think of it in time.)
A sportswriter I know writes:
"don't worry about people being 'mean' to Rex Grossman, that's what sportswriters and columnists are paid to do. It's a staple of sports radio."
Okay, I guess taking the criticism is par for the course. Just like if you're a politician. And Rex makes more money. Still, do they have to be such meanies? It's not like Rex is sending soldiers to Iraq.
A New Yorker writes:
You've been engaged for a month now, right? How does it feel? Have you kiled each other yet? My first month living with the future Mrs. [name withheld to protect the innocent], we had a few rough spots and a battle over toothpaste, but eventually we figured it out. Compromises are definitely worth it.
So far so good. We haven't fought over toothpaste, but ...Hopefully you didn't give the Boy any ideas! Anyways, there are always initial compromises to make when growing with someone, but it's sure worth it when you love someone (awwww).
T. writes:
I have a combonym for you! goatmeal: Oatmeal made with goat's milk.
Pretty good...I guess. Also, Sam from Hawaii had some Sniglets that weren't quite combonyms, but I lost the e-mail with them in it, so Sam from Hawaii, if you want to send again, I'll post them. Up to you.
Now go eat your goatmeal, everyone!
("Monday mailbag" would sound better, but I didn't think of it in time.)
A sportswriter I know writes:
"don't worry about people being 'mean' to Rex Grossman, that's what sportswriters and columnists are paid to do. It's a staple of sports radio."
Okay, I guess taking the criticism is par for the course. Just like if you're a politician. And Rex makes more money. Still, do they have to be such meanies? It's not like Rex is sending soldiers to Iraq.
A New Yorker writes:
You've been engaged for a month now, right? How does it feel? Have you kiled each other yet? My first month living with the future Mrs. [name withheld to protect the innocent], we had a few rough spots and a battle over toothpaste, but eventually we figured it out. Compromises are definitely worth it.
So far so good. We haven't fought over toothpaste, but ...Hopefully you didn't give the Boy any ideas! Anyways, there are always initial compromises to make when growing with someone, but it's sure worth it when you love someone (awwww).
T. writes:
I have a combonym for you! goatmeal: Oatmeal made with goat's milk.
Pretty good...I guess. Also, Sam from Hawaii had some Sniglets that weren't quite combonyms, but I lost the e-mail with them in it, so Sam from Hawaii, if you want to send again, I'll post them. Up to you.
Now go eat your goatmeal, everyone!
2/06/2007
Cold morning
It's very cold out. Very very.
I noticed recently that I'd been getting some hits from a new blog that linked to me. The blog is called bad lesbi*an dates. From reading it, it's clear that girls have just as hard a time dating girls as boys do.
Welcome, bad lesbi*an dater! (Only blocked out so people don't come here looking for HLA.)
2/05/2007
Super Bowl Monday
I went to a small Super Bowl (two words) party last night. It was fun! Many thanks to the host and hostess. The game itself was pretty sloppy, being played in the rain, but still fun to watch.
Prince was excellent at halftime. His Royal Purpleness did a great job.
The Boy told me that the Chicago Sun-Times has been picking relentlessly on Bears QB Rex Grossman. I checked today, and they are cutting him a little slack (some of them, anyway.)
On another note...some of the reporters at the newspaper I work for are so young. They come to me and say they couldn't find a phone number, and they say they looked allllll over the internet for it. And then, when I ask if they called Information, they didn't even think to do that. Durr.
Update:
I was just outside and I saw a guy pour tea out of his car, and it froze on the pavement.
Don't go out there.
The Boy says that USA Today and ESPN have some mean stories about Rex.
I guess I can't feel tooo bad for him...he probably made hundreds of thousands of dollars for being in the Super Bowl.
I went to a small Super Bowl (two words) party last night. It was fun! Many thanks to the host and hostess. The game itself was pretty sloppy, being played in the rain, but still fun to watch.
Prince was excellent at halftime. His Royal Purpleness did a great job.
The Boy told me that the Chicago Sun-Times has been picking relentlessly on Bears QB Rex Grossman. I checked today, and they are cutting him a little slack (some of them, anyway.)
On another note...some of the reporters at the newspaper I work for are so young. They come to me and say they couldn't find a phone number, and they say they looked allllll over the internet for it. And then, when I ask if they called Information, they didn't even think to do that. Durr.
Update:
I was just outside and I saw a guy pour tea out of his car, and it froze on the pavement.
Don't go out there.
The Boy says that USA Today and ESPN have some mean stories about Rex.
I guess I can't feel tooo bad for him...he probably made hundreds of thousands of dollars for being in the Super Bowl.
2/03/2007
While we're on the topic...
While we're on the topic of people who are shockingly still alive...
There are several authors who are still alive, whom you'd think would be dead by now. Especially since their books and stories were classics when you read them in school.
J.D. Salinger is still alive and is living in seclusion in New Hampshire, and writing books he refuses to publish. He's in his eighties and partially deaf.
Ray Bradbury is alive.
Kurt Vonnegut is alive.
Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird, is also alive and lives a very quiet life in NYC and Alabama. She never wrote another book after that. Strange but true.
What the four of those authors have in common is that their work is so straightforwardly written. A pleasure to read.
I am always grateful to the authors whose classic works wrapped me up in their verbal winter coats, keeping me warm with their words and insights.
I am not grateful to the authors (who shall remain nameless) who pounded me over the head and made me feel stupid. Hey, just because I was an English major doesn't mean I like to read paragraphs that run on for three entire pages. There's no excuse for it! None!
While I'm rambling, Sunday is the Super Bowl (two words, ok, Bunny?) Go Bears...no, go Colts...oh, who cares. I want my hard limeade.
If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere...
Former trivia co-host Jessica wrote this entry (scroll up) about how her expectations and lifestyle have evolved since moving to NYC six years ago, and how her life no longer resembles a chick-lit novel. Pretty interesting, and I think it's that way for a lot of people I know. Maybe someday I'll write about my own experiences and evolution since moving up here. Hmmm, eventually.
One thing's sure - the internet really changed things, allowing me to meet people whom it would have been harder to meet otherwise, especially because it helped publicize trivia and other ways to connect.
While we're on the topic of people who are shockingly still alive...
There are several authors who are still alive, whom you'd think would be dead by now. Especially since their books and stories were classics when you read them in school.
J.D. Salinger is still alive and is living in seclusion in New Hampshire, and writing books he refuses to publish. He's in his eighties and partially deaf.
Ray Bradbury is alive.
Kurt Vonnegut is alive.
Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird, is also alive and lives a very quiet life in NYC and Alabama. She never wrote another book after that. Strange but true.
What the four of those authors have in common is that their work is so straightforwardly written. A pleasure to read.
I am always grateful to the authors whose classic works wrapped me up in their verbal winter coats, keeping me warm with their words and insights.
I am not grateful to the authors (who shall remain nameless) who pounded me over the head and made me feel stupid. Hey, just because I was an English major doesn't mean I like to read paragraphs that run on for three entire pages. There's no excuse for it! None!
While I'm rambling, Sunday is the Super Bowl (two words, ok, Bunny?) Go Bears...no, go Colts...oh, who cares. I want my hard limeade.
If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere...
Former trivia co-host Jessica wrote this entry (scroll up) about how her expectations and lifestyle have evolved since moving to NYC six years ago, and how her life no longer resembles a chick-lit novel. Pretty interesting, and I think it's that way for a lot of people I know. Maybe someday I'll write about my own experiences and evolution since moving up here. Hmmm, eventually.
One thing's sure - the internet really changed things, allowing me to meet people whom it would have been harder to meet otherwise, especially because it helped publicize trivia and other ways to connect.
2/02/2007
Living history
Isn't it amazing that Miep Gies is still alive? She's like 98 though.
In the category of people who are alive even though I wouldn't have thought it...Shirley Temple. But she was young when she got famous and she's only 78 now.
(not that one person has anything to do with the other...they're just two people I wouldn't have thought would still be alive.)
Also appropos of nothing, today is Groundhog Day. Weather news at www.barometer.blogspot.com.
And if any of you need a hug today, (((hhhhuggggg))).
TGIF!
Isn't it amazing that Miep Gies is still alive? She's like 98 though.
In the category of people who are alive even though I wouldn't have thought it...Shirley Temple. But she was young when she got famous and she's only 78 now.
(not that one person has anything to do with the other...they're just two people I wouldn't have thought would still be alive.)
Also appropos of nothing, today is Groundhog Day. Weather news at www.barometer.blogspot.com.
And if any of you need a hug today, (((hhhhuggggg))).
TGIF!
2/01/2007
Food review
The Boy is going to help me review a new restaurant. Photos may be forthcoming. As well as some free sushi.
'Love is a Mix Tape'
The above is the title of a memoir that just came out that I think I want to read, so i'm making note of it now, because often, a book comes out that I want to read and then I forget about it and then I can't find anything good to read, and that's always a bummer. It's called Love is A Mix Tape. It's by a music writer who met his wife in grad school and suddenly had to cope with her untimely death.
From Booklist: Rob Shffield was a "shy, skinny, Irish Catholic geek from Boston" when he first met Renee. Southern born and bred, "she was warm and loud and impulsive." They had nothing in common except a love of music. Since he made music tapes for all occasions, he and Renee listened together, shared tapes, and though never formally planning to, married. On May 11, 1997, everything changed. He was in the kitchen making lunch. Suddenly, she collapsed, dying instantly of a pulmonary embolism. Devastated, he quickly realized that he couldn't listen to certain songs again, and that life as he knew it would never be the same. Fun and funny, moving and unbearably sad, Sheffield's account at its quirkiest, and because of his penchant for lists, is reminiscent of Nick Hornby's novel High Fidelity (1995). Anyone who loves music and appreciates the unspoken ways that music can bring people together will respond warmly to this gentle, bittersweet reflection on love won and love irrevocably lost.
The Boy is going to help me review a new restaurant. Photos may be forthcoming. As well as some free sushi.
'Love is a Mix Tape'
The above is the title of a memoir that just came out that I think I want to read, so i'm making note of it now, because often, a book comes out that I want to read and then I forget about it and then I can't find anything good to read, and that's always a bummer. It's called Love is A Mix Tape. It's by a music writer who met his wife in grad school and suddenly had to cope with her untimely death.
From Booklist: Rob Shffield was a "shy, skinny, Irish Catholic geek from Boston" when he first met Renee. Southern born and bred, "she was warm and loud and impulsive." They had nothing in common except a love of music. Since he made music tapes for all occasions, he and Renee listened together, shared tapes, and though never formally planning to, married. On May 11, 1997, everything changed. He was in the kitchen making lunch. Suddenly, she collapsed, dying instantly of a pulmonary embolism. Devastated, he quickly realized that he couldn't listen to certain songs again, and that life as he knew it would never be the same. Fun and funny, moving and unbearably sad, Sheffield's account at its quirkiest, and because of his penchant for lists, is reminiscent of Nick Hornby's novel High Fidelity (1995). Anyone who loves music and appreciates the unspoken ways that music can bring people together will respond warmly to this gentle, bittersweet reflection on love won and love irrevocably lost.
1/31/2007
News briefs
I am happy for the following reasons:
-My immediate family all seem to be in good moods today, when talking on the phone. I don't know why, but it's nice.
-My roommate is reallllly cute.
-Kate (above) is recovering and is starting to trust people again, according to the Humane Society.
Tomorrow starts February. That is not a reason I'm extraordinarly happy, but I thought it would mention it so that none of you fall prey to February Fools jokes.
Outside my window this morning
Stuff
1. Gothamist has a fun discussion going on about the unfortunate pit bull. Seems that some people believe that animals get more sympathy than humans. Someone else points out that animals don't lie to your face.
2. I sometimes write these entries the day before, or at different times than the time listed. it is NOT really 5:31 right now.
3. Yes, roommate = fiance. Durr. ;)
4. Here is some new graffiti I encountered this morning.
1/30/2007
More reader mail
Someone from down South writes:
Another reason you should not root for the Bears - Their fans were yelling at Saints fans, "Go back to your FEMA trailers!"Other things they yelled at women I will not repeat.I can show you the photo of a sign one fan held that said "Bears Finish WhatKatrina Started." I hope Peyton Manning, the Colts quarterback and a New Orleans native, makes all of those fans miserable Sunday.
Me too, if that's true. I heard about that sign but I thought it was something someone doctored for the internet, not something someone actually held up at the stadium. I think that person's sign should have been taken away for something so callous. I would also say that the person should have been removed from the stadium, but I guess that would violate his free speech...still, that's disgusting.
UPDATE: Apparently, I am not the only one who doubted that the photo was real. But also apparently, I have too much faith in humanity. It's on the "urban myths" website...and as it turns out, it's true. Check this out:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/signs/chicagobears.asp
Well, even if I can't root for da Bears, I can still enjoy the Super Bowl food this Sunday.
Someone from down South writes:
Another reason you should not root for the Bears - Their fans were yelling at Saints fans, "Go back to your FEMA trailers!"Other things they yelled at women I will not repeat.I can show you the photo of a sign one fan held that said "Bears Finish WhatKatrina Started." I hope Peyton Manning, the Colts quarterback and a New Orleans native, makes all of those fans miserable Sunday.
Me too, if that's true. I heard about that sign but I thought it was something someone doctored for the internet, not something someone actually held up at the stadium. I think that person's sign should have been taken away for something so callous. I would also say that the person should have been removed from the stadium, but I guess that would violate his free speech...still, that's disgusting.
UPDATE: Apparently, I am not the only one who doubted that the photo was real. But also apparently, I have too much faith in humanity. It's on the "urban myths" website...and as it turns out, it's true. Check this out:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/signs/chicagobears.asp
Well, even if I can't root for da Bears, I can still enjoy the Super Bowl food this Sunday.
Fian....
A dictionary check confirmed recently that I am a fiancEE, while the boy is just a fiancE. I get an extra E because I'm a nice girl.
But a friend pointed out to me that most people ignore the "fiance" spelling these days and use "fiancEE" for both sexes. I've been trying to get it right, but I guess it doesn't really matter, does it? Should popular form or use eventually replace the original, if it's more sensible?
The word "enormity" is supposed to have a bad connotation and doesn't simply mean enormousness. You could say "the sheer enormity of 9/11" and be using it correctly, but "the enormity of our party overwhelmed me," theoretically, would be wrong. Yet, I recently looked it up and it said that enormity had come into common usage to just mean enormousness.
So, maybe it does, now.
A dictionary check confirmed recently that I am a fiancEE, while the boy is just a fiancE. I get an extra E because I'm a nice girl.
But a friend pointed out to me that most people ignore the "fiance" spelling these days and use "fiancEE" for both sexes. I've been trying to get it right, but I guess it doesn't really matter, does it? Should popular form or use eventually replace the original, if it's more sensible?
The word "enormity" is supposed to have a bad connotation and doesn't simply mean enormousness. You could say "the sheer enormity of 9/11" and be using it correctly, but "the enormity of our party overwhelmed me," theoretically, would be wrong. Yet, I recently looked it up and it said that enormity had come into common usage to just mean enormousness.
So, maybe it does, now.
1/29/2007
Da Bears
I think I am going to root for da Bears to win da Superbowl, even though the Colts are OK too. There are a few reasons. One is, they won like the first seven games of their season and surprised everyone, yet, the minute their young quarterback started faltering, all of the commentators were saying he should be canned. He did really badly in two games, but geez, how fickle those commentators are! They were saying during the next game after that, if he didn't perform, he would be replaced in the second half. And he showed his stuff, and shut them all up.
So now da Bears are in the Superbowl, and they're still the underdogs. I like the Colts too, but it'd be fun to see da Bears win.
One thing, though. Why are they called the Bears, anyway? Is there a single bear in the city of Chicago? Come to think of it, are there colts in Indianapolis?? There are probably Dolphins in Miami. They can swim in and out. There are giants in New York. Shrek was playing in most theaters in the city, as far as I can remember. And Jeremy Shockey is 6'7". So, lots of giants in NYC, in one form or another. There are also definitely jets.
I could keep going on with this, but that would be unladylike and I should get back to Oprah.
Updates:
I should know better than to write about things that my readers will all know more about than I do, like sports.
Sam from Hawaii writes:
I've never been so dissapointed in you... Da Bears? Indianapolis is my birthplace, and if Payton Manning and the colts lose, he'll be labeled a loser the rest of his career! You don't want THAT on your conscience do you? Also... Shrek is an ogre, not a giant... huge difference! Fire your fact checker!
Aloha, Sam.. Go Colts
A female reader writes:
Super Bowl is two words. I'm rooting for that other Manning 'cause he's adorable. Not the Colts, justthe hottie QB.
Great...confirm men's worst stereotypes of women and why they watch football!
She later added this correction:
Jeremy Shockey is 6-5".
Keeper writes:
I hope the Staleys win also!
Before the white man; there were bears around Chicago, and Indians, like my great grandfather. Whose ancestors once occupied most of New York, and your home state as well. True times have canged; the Indians are now in Cleveland. I got to quit, I can't bare anymore of this!
Okay, I give up. No more writing about sports for me! Pretty, sparkly things only.
I think I am going to root for da Bears to win da Superbowl, even though the Colts are OK too. There are a few reasons. One is, they won like the first seven games of their season and surprised everyone, yet, the minute their young quarterback started faltering, all of the commentators were saying he should be canned. He did really badly in two games, but geez, how fickle those commentators are! They were saying during the next game after that, if he didn't perform, he would be replaced in the second half. And he showed his stuff, and shut them all up.
So now da Bears are in the Superbowl, and they're still the underdogs. I like the Colts too, but it'd be fun to see da Bears win.
One thing, though. Why are they called the Bears, anyway? Is there a single bear in the city of Chicago? Come to think of it, are there colts in Indianapolis?? There are probably Dolphins in Miami. They can swim in and out. There are giants in New York. Shrek was playing in most theaters in the city, as far as I can remember. And Jeremy Shockey is 6'7". So, lots of giants in NYC, in one form or another. There are also definitely jets.
I could keep going on with this, but that would be unladylike and I should get back to Oprah.
Updates:
I should know better than to write about things that my readers will all know more about than I do, like sports.
Sam from Hawaii writes:
I've never been so dissapointed in you... Da Bears? Indianapolis is my birthplace, and if Payton Manning and the colts lose, he'll be labeled a loser the rest of his career! You don't want THAT on your conscience do you? Also... Shrek is an ogre, not a giant... huge difference! Fire your fact checker!
Aloha, Sam.. Go Colts
A female reader writes:
Super Bowl is two words. I'm rooting for that other Manning 'cause he's adorable. Not the Colts, justthe hottie QB.
Great...confirm men's worst stereotypes of women and why they watch football!
She later added this correction:
Jeremy Shockey is 6-5".
Keeper writes:
I hope the Staleys win also!
Before the white man; there were bears around Chicago, and Indians, like my great grandfather. Whose ancestors once occupied most of New York, and your home state as well. True times have canged; the Indians are now in Cleveland. I got to quit, I can't bare anymore of this!
Okay, I give up. No more writing about sports for me! Pretty, sparkly things only.
1/27/2007
1/26/2007
1/25/2007
Reward up to $12K (from press release)
(Newark, NJ) -- The reward is now up to $12,000 for any information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrator who sodomized a 10-month-old pit bull in Newark. The Associated Humane Societies and the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offered a reward of $5,000 when the incident first happened. Posters went up in the area along with a media alert and an additional $7,000 was raised.
The dog, who has been named “Kate” after her veterinary caretaker, arrived at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls after being rescued in Newark where she was found in the hallway of an apartment building in a pool of her own blood.
Roseann Trezza, Executive Director of the Associated Humane Societies, says, “Kate was a neighborhood dog, belonging to everyone and yet, no one. She was given infrequent meals and was grateful for any attention or treats she received. Just before the horrible tragedy, she was seen walking on a leash with two teenagers. A short time later, she was found in the hallway near death.”
Since Kate’s arrival in Tinton Falls, she has been given round-the-clock-care. When veterinarians first examined her, she was in the process of shutting down physically and emotionally. She has been fed through a tube and is beginning to take small amounts of food. Her medications are expected to be switched from intravenous to oral and once she is eating and having normal bowel movements, she will be transferred to The Associated Humane Societies Medical Department in Newark.
The Associated Humane Societies is asking anyone who has any information about this incident to come forward. If someone is convicted of the crime, penalties range up to $7,500 in fines and 18 months behind bars. The Associated Humane Societies would be grateful for any donations towards the cost of Kate’s medical care.
The Associated Humane Societies (AHS), founded in 1906, is the largest animal sheltering system in New Jersey. AHS consists of four shelters located in Newark, Forked River, Tinton Falls and Union. The Forked River facility also includes the federally licensed Popcorn Park Zoo which is a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused or elderly wildlife, exotic and farm animals and birds. For more information, visit http://www.ahscares.org/ or to make a donation, send it to Popcorn Park Zoo, PO Box 50, Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731. The Society is open 7 days a week from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Update: I found this quote on the web: "Debbie Beyfuss of AHS told 1010 WINS, 'Hopefully Kate will make a complete recovery and be adopted to one of the many wonderful people who have offered her a home.' "
1/24/2007
E-mess
I'm catching up on my e-mails; please be patient. Catching up on work at the same time.
As for novels, right now I'm just waiting for news. No new projects; waiting for word on the recently-completed.
While you wait for me to respond to your e-mail, and I wait for other things, here's some music from back in the '50s.
Gonna blog around the clock tonight
Gonna blog blog blog 'til broad daylight.
Gonna blog, gonna blog around the clock tonight!
They were ahead of their time.
I'm catching up on my e-mails; please be patient. Catching up on work at the same time.
As for novels, right now I'm just waiting for news. No new projects; waiting for word on the recently-completed.
While you wait for me to respond to your e-mail, and I wait for other things, here's some music from back in the '50s.
Gonna blog around the clock tonight
Gonna blog blog blog 'til broad daylight.
Gonna blog, gonna blog around the clock tonight!
They were ahead of their time.
1/23/2007
That's cold
So I heard it was cold and windy this past weekend. Was it? I guess I'll believe you.
Where the Boy and I were, it was 80 degrees and sunny.
I'd never seen ocean water so blue. Downtown was nice as well.
That was the view from our balcony, through the zoom lens. Anyway, we enjoyed the pool.
(The Boy is covered up to protect the innocent.)
I also saw a rainbow one morning!
The Boy was more excited about car-watching, and I can't blame him. There were a lot of interesting high-end cars to see. When it's sunny all the time, people like to show off their convertibles. I kind of liked this car:
But try as I might, I looked up and down A1A and didn't spot Vanilla Ice.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the show. Signing off, your host... (also hidden to protect the innocent, namely me)
So I heard it was cold and windy this past weekend. Was it? I guess I'll believe you.
Where the Boy and I were, it was 80 degrees and sunny.
I'd never seen ocean water so blue. Downtown was nice as well.
That was the view from our balcony, through the zoom lens. Anyway, we enjoyed the pool.
(The Boy is covered up to protect the innocent.)
I also saw a rainbow one morning!
The Boy was more excited about car-watching, and I can't blame him. There were a lot of interesting high-end cars to see. When it's sunny all the time, people like to show off their convertibles. I kind of liked this car:
But try as I might, I looked up and down A1A and didn't spot Vanilla Ice.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the show. Signing off, your host... (also hidden to protect the innocent, namely me)
1/21/2007
Quotes
"847 dollars a night to stay at a Days Inn? You couldn't pay me $847 to stay at a Days Inn!" - The Boy (will be explained later)
"I was watching Everybody Loves Raven, and he said that he was a good cooker, and he started a fire in the kitchen and it burned the house." - Boy's anonymous nephew, describing a sit-com episode
"847 dollars a night to stay at a Days Inn? You couldn't pay me $847 to stay at a Days Inn!" - The Boy (will be explained later)
"I was watching Everybody Loves Raven, and he said that he was a good cooker, and he started a fire in the kitchen and it burned the house." - Boy's anonymous nephew, describing a sit-com episode
1/18/2007
Cigars all around!
It's Thursday! You almost made it through another week. Congratulate yourself.
Just for clarification's sake, the post below is from a press release, and is not my writing. I posted it 'cause I felt bad for that dog. I'm sure someone will adopt her. Maybe in time she will get over her trauma.
Happy Thursday!
It's Thursday! You almost made it through another week. Congratulate yourself.
Just for clarification's sake, the post below is from a press release, and is not my writing. I posted it 'cause I felt bad for that dog. I'm sure someone will adopt her. Maybe in time she will get over her trauma.
Happy Thursday!
1/17/2007
I hope they catch this ass----....
The Associated Humane Societies in Newark has rescued a 10-month-old female pit bull who had been sodomized by a local resident. Newark Police called officials from the Associated Humane Societies to the scene at 321 Seth Boyden Terrace and an ambulance was immediately dispatched to rescue the dog.
Roseann Trezza, Executive Director of the Associated Humane Societies says two residents witnessed the situation but refused to get involved. “We have two people who saw this terrible act, but no information on the perpetrator. This is a horrendous crime of bestiality and it cannot go unpunished. This dog was terrified and compliant and when she arrived, was totally traumatized. Her body temperature had dropped, she was bleeding and efforts were made to stabilize her and warm her up before she was taken to Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls.”
The Associated Humane Societies has posted a $2,500 reward and the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has matched the $2,500 reward. So, $5,000 is being offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of this perpetrator. If the perpetrator is found guilty, penalties range up to $7,500 in fines and 18 months behind bars.
The Associated Humane Societies (AHS), founded in 1906, is the largest animal sheltering system in New Jersey. AHS consists of four shelters located in Newark, Forked River, Tinton Falls and Union. The Forked River facility also includes the federally licensed Popcorn Park Zoo which is a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused or elderly wildlife, exotic and farm animals and birds. For more information, visit http://www.ahscares.org/ or to make a donation, send it to Popcorn Park Zoo, PO Box 50, Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731. The Society is open 7 days a week from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
1/16/2007
All your questions, answered
I have been getting a lot of the same questions from my blog readers lately. Here are some answers.
1. Q: When is the wedding?
A: We are tentatively planning to have our wedding the same day as we get married.
2. Q: When is your next book coming out?
A: Someone has to buy one first. I will let you know when I know.
3. Q: What is your favorite kind of dog?
A: No one actually asked this, but I like all dogs. I have a soft spot for beagle mixes.
4. Q: Why is this blog so boring?
A: Because I don't tell you about my scandalous, scandalous life. Maybe someday.
5. Q: Tell me more about The Boy.
A: No way! Then you'll try to steal him. And that would break my heart.
That's all. Now run along.
Dear diary...
Someday I'll have to go to "Cringe Night" and hear New Yorkers read from their teenage diaries. It's the newest 'nerd event' (as the Anonymous blogger calls them) in the city. I guess trivia night is old news now.
I have been getting a lot of the same questions from my blog readers lately. Here are some answers.
1. Q: When is the wedding?
A: We are tentatively planning to have our wedding the same day as we get married.
2. Q: When is your next book coming out?
A: Someone has to buy one first. I will let you know when I know.
3. Q: What is your favorite kind of dog?
A: No one actually asked this, but I like all dogs. I have a soft spot for beagle mixes.
4. Q: Why is this blog so boring?
A: Because I don't tell you about my scandalous, scandalous life. Maybe someday.
5. Q: Tell me more about The Boy.
A: No way! Then you'll try to steal him. And that would break my heart.
That's all. Now run along.
Dear diary...
Someday I'll have to go to "Cringe Night" and hear New Yorkers read from their teenage diaries. It's the newest 'nerd event' (as the Anonymous blogger calls them) in the city. I guess trivia night is old news now.
Debate on Times 'love' column
This past Sunday, the New York Times ran an essay by a woman who, when she was 19, met a guy who was 20 at the camp where they were both counselors, and fell in love. Then...he confessed to her that he was on leave from Harvard after being accused of date rape.
The essay was sympathetic toward the guy, and as a result it has unleashed a host of condemning comments on the web. Interesting reading.
This past Sunday, the New York Times ran an essay by a woman who, when she was 19, met a guy who was 20 at the camp where they were both counselors, and fell in love. Then...he confessed to her that he was on leave from Harvard after being accused of date rape.
The essay was sympathetic toward the guy, and as a result it has unleashed a host of condemning comments on the web. Interesting reading.
1/15/2007
MLK
Happy Martin Luther King Day, or Lee/Jackson/King day, as it used to be called in Virginia. We Northerners liked to point that out to feel more superior than usual.
Do you think that any more national holidays will be created? It seems like a door we shouldn't open again, being that everyone will have a different idea of who or what should be honored.
But if we do honor someone, it should definitely be someone who was born in March, due to the lack of holidays in March. I will have to go with Judd Hirsch.
Happy Martin Luther King Day, or Lee/Jackson/King day, as it used to be called in Virginia. We Northerners liked to point that out to feel more superior than usual.
Do you think that any more national holidays will be created? It seems like a door we shouldn't open again, being that everyone will have a different idea of who or what should be honored.
But if we do honor someone, it should definitely be someone who was born in March, due to the lack of holidays in March. I will have to go with Judd Hirsch.
1/14/2007
1/13/2007
Update
So I went to the Strand. Unfortunately, the Book Nazi was there. You've heard of the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld, right? Well, the Strand has a Book Nazi.
When you hand in your books to sell, there's a guy who decides what he wants and doesn't want. If he doesn't want something, he is mean about it. One of my books that I brought in was signed by the author. The guy working with the Book Nazi said to the Book Nazi, "She says it's signed by the author." The BN responded, in a monotone, "Whoo-pee." What a jerk! I think he is trying to cultivate some sort of twisted fan base.
I ended up with $13 cash. The trip to and from the city cost a total of $3 on the PATH, so I guess I've got a windfall to deal with. I gave away the books I didn't sell.
The important thing is that I got rid of books I no longer need, and The Boy and I have more room to breathe.
Anyway, I'll be posting a photo of the line of people trying to sell books, when I download it from my camera.
If you have a lot of books to sell, you can sell them to the Strand, but usually they only pay about a dollar a book unless it's something relatively new, special, or in perfect condition.
Catching up
I am behind on some e-mails, even though I have responded in some sense. If my responses to you have been brief, it was not you, I swear!
I finally got someone else's recommendation letter written this morning. It's still harder for a person to ask for one, than to write one, so I sympathize. But it was still something I kept putting off...now I got to it.
Other tasks today: Cleaning, cleaning, selling some old books back to the Strand. They tend to give you about a dollar a book. If you count my PATH fare, I should make a $5 profit. Maybe I should get some cupcakes at Magnolia. ;)
I am behind on some e-mails, even though I have responded in some sense. If my responses to you have been brief, it was not you, I swear!
I finally got someone else's recommendation letter written this morning. It's still harder for a person to ask for one, than to write one, so I sympathize. But it was still something I kept putting off...now I got to it.
Other tasks today: Cleaning, cleaning, selling some old books back to the Strand. They tend to give you about a dollar a book. If you count my PATH fare, I should make a $5 profit. Maybe I should get some cupcakes at Magnolia. ;)
1/12/2007
1/11/2007
Quick post
I got a few responses to my post yesterday, most of them pretty short, on the order of "Good post." I guess we've all had those unattainable crushes or idealized other people.
Some excerpts from responses:
"Hey there,
Just thought I’d tell you how much I enjoyed your post about real love vs. fantasy love. Many good points there...Have a great day!"
"Nice post on fantasy vs. reality love. Real relationships do take work, and living together does too. But in the end it's worth it. Good luck!"
"I stopped having Pamela Anderson fantasies when she started dating that drugged-out heavy metal guy."
I got a few responses to my post yesterday, most of them pretty short, on the order of "Good post." I guess we've all had those unattainable crushes or idealized other people.
Some excerpts from responses:
"Hey there,
Just thought I’d tell you how much I enjoyed your post about real love vs. fantasy love. Many good points there...Have a great day!"
"Nice post on fantasy vs. reality love. Real relationships do take work, and living together does too. But in the end it's worth it. Good luck!"
"I stopped having Pamela Anderson fantasies when she started dating that drugged-out heavy metal guy."
1/10/2007
The book, and fantasy vs. reality love
I'm handing in the book to Superagent Thursday. It could take months to find anything out, but I'll be glad to have it done for a while.
The main thing it's about is the difference between 'fantasy love' and reality love. You know, pining for someone you think is perfect...when, in fact, if you were actually with that person, you would have to put up with the day-to-day mundane responsibilities etc. and have the fantasy shattered.
Most of us have had intense crushes on attainable people at some point (especially back in school), and sometimes it takes a while to get over them. Part of the reason for that is that you don't actually end up in a relationship with them, so you don't get to see how they'd really treat you or what kind of boyfriend/girlfriend they'd actually make. You only see or remember what you WANT to see - the good parts.
It usually takes a while to realize the difference between fantasy love and reality love. I read a book not long ago, non-fiction, about a woman preparing for marriage. She talks about how, a few months into dating her then-boyfriend, she told him she loved him. His response was that the only girl he ever truly loved was the girl he had a crush on in high school. (That girl didn't love him back, of course.)
It's very easy to get hung up on (and have dreams and fantasies about) someone you don't end up with, and only remember the good and not the bad. A question for you guys out there: When you fantasize about Pamela Anderson being your love slave, does she ever say to you, "Um, I can't today, I have my period and I don't feel well?" I doubt it. Not in your fantasy! But in real life, yes, she gets her Aunt Flo too.
I guess the point of my book is that sometimes you have to recognize that clinging to unattainable fantasies, or putting your best spin on a past love or crush or relationship makes it hard to appreciate what's in front of you.
I have a few single friends who have had trouble with this, because they were hung up on someone from the past and were slow to commit to a new person. Hey, give those new people a chance - don't make them live up to a prior fantasy. Instead, have the patience to discover what's new and fantastic within them! Especially if they really love and respect you.
Disclaimer: I am only a fiction writer and am not licensed to give out advice. In fact, about some things, I shouldn't even be listened to whatsoever. Bye.
The good news
The good news is that true love can feel like a fantasy at times. Writer Robyn Schneider's most recent blog entry is a lot of fun to read. By the way, her first novel just got published this week!
I'm handing in the book to Superagent Thursday. It could take months to find anything out, but I'll be glad to have it done for a while.
The main thing it's about is the difference between 'fantasy love' and reality love. You know, pining for someone you think is perfect...when, in fact, if you were actually with that person, you would have to put up with the day-to-day mundane responsibilities etc. and have the fantasy shattered.
Most of us have had intense crushes on attainable people at some point (especially back in school), and sometimes it takes a while to get over them. Part of the reason for that is that you don't actually end up in a relationship with them, so you don't get to see how they'd really treat you or what kind of boyfriend/girlfriend they'd actually make. You only see or remember what you WANT to see - the good parts.
It usually takes a while to realize the difference between fantasy love and reality love. I read a book not long ago, non-fiction, about a woman preparing for marriage. She talks about how, a few months into dating her then-boyfriend, she told him she loved him. His response was that the only girl he ever truly loved was the girl he had a crush on in high school. (That girl didn't love him back, of course.)
It's very easy to get hung up on (and have dreams and fantasies about) someone you don't end up with, and only remember the good and not the bad. A question for you guys out there: When you fantasize about Pamela Anderson being your love slave, does she ever say to you, "Um, I can't today, I have my period and I don't feel well?" I doubt it. Not in your fantasy! But in real life, yes, she gets her Aunt Flo too.
I guess the point of my book is that sometimes you have to recognize that clinging to unattainable fantasies, or putting your best spin on a past love or crush or relationship makes it hard to appreciate what's in front of you.
I have a few single friends who have had trouble with this, because they were hung up on someone from the past and were slow to commit to a new person. Hey, give those new people a chance - don't make them live up to a prior fantasy. Instead, have the patience to discover what's new and fantastic within them! Especially if they really love and respect you.
Disclaimer: I am only a fiction writer and am not licensed to give out advice. In fact, about some things, I shouldn't even be listened to whatsoever. Bye.
The good news
The good news is that true love can feel like a fantasy at times. Writer Robyn Schneider's most recent blog entry is a lot of fun to read. By the way, her first novel just got published this week!
1/09/2007
On language
This is one of those entries I thought of two weeks ago and now it's come to mind when I'm on the computer, so I'll post it...
Isn't it kind of funny that if I say to you, "What's on tonight," you'd know I mean on television?
Is there anything on tonight?
Nope, nothing on tonight.
It also works with "What should I watch tonight?" If someone asked you that, would you say, "Your neighbor's dog getting a tummy rub in the window?" No, you'd say, "CSI: Topeka."
It's funny how television has become such a staple that even saying "TV" is too much...we only have to say, "What's on" or "what should I watch?"
I wonder when that started. Also, I wonder when "TV" as an abbreviation started, in general.
I've also been thinking lately about how fortunate it is that the members of my family had things they watched at completely different times - being that the only good (a.k.a. color) TV was in the living room.
My brother and I controlled prime time nearly every night. My mom watched the soaps in the afternoon and ABC news at 6, 6:30, and 7. And dad watched sports on the weekends. It all worked out. And even when I wasn't interested in what they were watching, I sat on the couch with them and watched because there was nothing better to do. I accidentally saw George Brett storm onto the field because they said there was too much pine tar on his bat, I followed the exploits of General Hospital's Luke and Laura every summer, and I watched all the news. Clearly, TV was a cornerstone of my childhood.
Now I watch here and there (more now because there's cable in my home), but there are shows that have been on for ten seasons that I haven't even seen a complete episode of. Strange, huh?
Kids today have so many more channels to choose from, but they also have the internet and IM'ing, so TV isn't as necessary. I guess it's still the main form of entertainment in most homes, but the big color living-room Zenith probably isn't the big gathering place it was.
This is one of those entries I thought of two weeks ago and now it's come to mind when I'm on the computer, so I'll post it...
Isn't it kind of funny that if I say to you, "What's on tonight," you'd know I mean on television?
Is there anything on tonight?
Nope, nothing on tonight.
It also works with "What should I watch tonight?" If someone asked you that, would you say, "Your neighbor's dog getting a tummy rub in the window?" No, you'd say, "CSI: Topeka."
It's funny how television has become such a staple that even saying "TV" is too much...we only have to say, "What's on" or "what should I watch?"
I wonder when that started. Also, I wonder when "TV" as an abbreviation started, in general.
I've also been thinking lately about how fortunate it is that the members of my family had things they watched at completely different times - being that the only good (a.k.a. color) TV was in the living room.
My brother and I controlled prime time nearly every night. My mom watched the soaps in the afternoon and ABC news at 6, 6:30, and 7. And dad watched sports on the weekends. It all worked out. And even when I wasn't interested in what they were watching, I sat on the couch with them and watched because there was nothing better to do. I accidentally saw George Brett storm onto the field because they said there was too much pine tar on his bat, I followed the exploits of General Hospital's Luke and Laura every summer, and I watched all the news. Clearly, TV was a cornerstone of my childhood.
Now I watch here and there (more now because there's cable in my home), but there are shows that have been on for ten seasons that I haven't even seen a complete episode of. Strange, huh?
Kids today have so many more channels to choose from, but they also have the internet and IM'ing, so TV isn't as necessary. I guess it's still the main form of entertainment in most homes, but the big color living-room Zenith probably isn't the big gathering place it was.
1/08/2007
Monday
No time to post all of the things that swirl around my brain, but....has anyone else had major problems with slow holiday-time mail this year? I've had major problems with packages in the last two weeks. And I sent a Barnes & Noble gift card to someone on Dec. 27 and they still haven't gotten it. And today I got an Xmas card in the mail from someone.
The fact that they closed the post office for Gerald Ford's death didn't help matters. Not only weren't packages delivered, but that's a day of paperwork and stuff the postal employees got backed up on.
But there's something bigger going on, I think. Today was a record year for people ordering gifts on-line. With all those extra packages floating around, I don't know if the post office was prepared. I know that UPS hired a lot of extra people, one of whom supposedly delivered a CD to my front door on Dec. 8 that I never got.
Anyway, whine, whine, whine, whine.
Get back to work, bum.
No time to post all of the things that swirl around my brain, but....has anyone else had major problems with slow holiday-time mail this year? I've had major problems with packages in the last two weeks. And I sent a Barnes & Noble gift card to someone on Dec. 27 and they still haven't gotten it. And today I got an Xmas card in the mail from someone.
The fact that they closed the post office for Gerald Ford's death didn't help matters. Not only weren't packages delivered, but that's a day of paperwork and stuff the postal employees got backed up on.
But there's something bigger going on, I think. Today was a record year for people ordering gifts on-line. With all those extra packages floating around, I don't know if the post office was prepared. I know that UPS hired a lot of extra people, one of whom supposedly delivered a CD to my front door on Dec. 8 that I never got.
Anyway, whine, whine, whine, whine.
Get back to work, bum.
1/05/2007
Responses
While the responses to my announcement of a few days ago have been of the "Congratulations!" variety, two people added that they are sad to be losing another single friend to marriage, even though they are quite happy for me. They just hate being left out. I understand that sentiment; it is a common one. Another person said she has trouble meeting people, since she doesn't go out much. I probably will have things to say on these topics at some point. I don't really blame anyone who feels left out when their single friends get married. I think people really need to support each other. I recently tried to set up two acquaintances (nice, interesting people) on a date, trying to do my part to get good people together. BUT I don't really want to say too much on these issues here, because after all, this is the internet and anyone can read it. If you're a friend, you should feel free to ask me by e-mail or in person about such things. But don't feel left out if your friends are getting married. It can happen to you at any time. I may write more about that someday, but for now, I just wanted to respond briefly.
Long project at the end
The book I've been working on for a long time is going to be mailed to Superagent VERY soon. I need to do final nips and tucks.
Today is the birthday of someone I knew in elementary school, whom I haven't spoken to since I was about 14. Why do I remember such weird things?
Nuts over Grape Nuts
Last week I ate my no-fat sundae that I thought up many years ago when I'd graduated from college and decided to finally get rid of the extra dining-hall pounds.
It's actually very tasty.
Put Grape Nuts cereal in a microwave-safe bowl with skim milk.
Cook in microwave for 2 minutes, until cereal is warm and thick.
Put cold yogurt on top.
I love the way the cold fruity yogurt tastes on the warm soft grape-nuts mix. YUM.
Note: A certain boy I know thinks that Grape Nuts "smell like kitty litter." Guess they're all for me, then.
While the responses to my announcement of a few days ago have been of the "Congratulations!" variety, two people added that they are sad to be losing another single friend to marriage, even though they are quite happy for me. They just hate being left out. I understand that sentiment; it is a common one. Another person said she has trouble meeting people, since she doesn't go out much. I probably will have things to say on these topics at some point. I don't really blame anyone who feels left out when their single friends get married. I think people really need to support each other. I recently tried to set up two acquaintances (nice, interesting people) on a date, trying to do my part to get good people together. BUT I don't really want to say too much on these issues here, because after all, this is the internet and anyone can read it. If you're a friend, you should feel free to ask me by e-mail or in person about such things. But don't feel left out if your friends are getting married. It can happen to you at any time. I may write more about that someday, but for now, I just wanted to respond briefly.
Long project at the end
The book I've been working on for a long time is going to be mailed to Superagent VERY soon. I need to do final nips and tucks.
Today is the birthday of someone I knew in elementary school, whom I haven't spoken to since I was about 14. Why do I remember such weird things?
Nuts over Grape Nuts
Last week I ate my no-fat sundae that I thought up many years ago when I'd graduated from college and decided to finally get rid of the extra dining-hall pounds.
It's actually very tasty.
Put Grape Nuts cereal in a microwave-safe bowl with skim milk.
Cook in microwave for 2 minutes, until cereal is warm and thick.
Put cold yogurt on top.
I love the way the cold fruity yogurt tastes on the warm soft grape-nuts mix. YUM.
Note: A certain boy I know thinks that Grape Nuts "smell like kitty litter." Guess they're all for me, then.
1/04/2007
Something raw
More of why it's hard to be a young writer. Boy, Ned doesn't hold back, does he?
Thanks to everyone who sent kind wishes yesterday! I'm very happy.
More of why it's hard to be a young writer. Boy, Ned doesn't hold back, does he?
Thanks to everyone who sent kind wishes yesterday! I'm very happy.
1/03/2007
1/02/2007
1/01/2007
12/30/2006
12/28/2006
12/27/2006
12/26/2006
12/24/2006
THIS JUST IN!
Special holiday newsflash.
My stepmother revealed that she was walking past the house of the goat the other day (the goat in question is a goat that lives by my dad & stepmother's house) and she asked its owner what the goat's name is.
You may or may not recall that two summers ago, I told my half-sis, who's 13, that I'd give her $20 if she found out the name of the goat by the end of the summer.
I now know the goat's name.
It is...
It is...
tell ya tomorrow.
No, just kidding.
It's "Spooky."
Because it's a black goat.
OK, then.
Special holiday newsflash.
My stepmother revealed that she was walking past the house of the goat the other day (the goat in question is a goat that lives by my dad & stepmother's house) and she asked its owner what the goat's name is.
You may or may not recall that two summers ago, I told my half-sis, who's 13, that I'd give her $20 if she found out the name of the goat by the end of the summer.
I now know the goat's name.
It is...
It is...
tell ya tomorrow.
No, just kidding.
It's "Spooky."
Because it's a black goat.
OK, then.
12/21/2006
Happy holidays
Blogging will probably be suspended over the next few days because of the holidays. And because I feel like it.
Happy holidays!!
Here's a Forbes article about the top-earning authors (I'm not in it; sorry.)
Blogging will probably be suspended over the next few days because of the holidays. And because I feel like it.
Happy holidays!!
Here's a Forbes article about the top-earning authors (I'm not in it; sorry.)
12/20/2006
Notice the musical similarities?
Christmas carol:
Oh come all ye FAITHful
Joyful and triUMphant...
Twisted Sister:
We're not gonna TAKE it
No, we ain't gonna TAKE it...
Dee Snyder must notice. He performed the former this morning on the radio, and it definitely sounded like the latter. I never woulda known!
Christmas carol:
Oh come all ye FAITHful
Joyful and triUMphant...
Twisted Sister:
We're not gonna TAKE it
No, we ain't gonna TAKE it...
Dee Snyder must notice. He performed the former this morning on the radio, and it definitely sounded like the latter. I never woulda known!
12/19/2006
Blog entry
Okay, going to try to fire off a quick entry before I go to work.
I'm on some Yahoo newsgroups (listserves) about writing, and sometimes a "guest agent" will appear and answer questions from the writers who are on the loop. One time, a woman who was working on a novel for teens asked a question about the plot of her book, which involved a teen traveling through time to another decade. The agent responded that if a book is about time travel, it's usually a sign that it's done by an amateur.
I was surprised, as I'd never heard this. Luckily, I am not writing a book about time travel. But hmmm, who comes up with all these little rules in publishing?
Of course, there are exceptions - I guarantee that if this woman's book was really great, it would sell. Any great book that keeps us rivited will sell. But if her book is less than great, there are so many hurdles to get through. Having a plot that agents consider overused is just one more.
It's also said that a chick lit book about a guy is flat-out not going to sell. 80 percent of book-buyers are women. Guys don't buy. But books like "High Fidelity" will sell because even though they're written by a guy and about a guy, they could appeal to women.
The funny thing about some of these rules, though -- they vary from agent to agent. I've heard agents contradict each other on some of them. What one agent or publisher may see as a drawback, others may love.
Ultimately, a great book will sell no matter what. If it's anything less than great, it has to have a readymade market.
But you already knew that publishing was complicated, didn't you?
Okay, going to try to fire off a quick entry before I go to work.
I'm on some Yahoo newsgroups (listserves) about writing, and sometimes a "guest agent" will appear and answer questions from the writers who are on the loop. One time, a woman who was working on a novel for teens asked a question about the plot of her book, which involved a teen traveling through time to another decade. The agent responded that if a book is about time travel, it's usually a sign that it's done by an amateur.
I was surprised, as I'd never heard this. Luckily, I am not writing a book about time travel. But hmmm, who comes up with all these little rules in publishing?
Of course, there are exceptions - I guarantee that if this woman's book was really great, it would sell. Any great book that keeps us rivited will sell. But if her book is less than great, there are so many hurdles to get through. Having a plot that agents consider overused is just one more.
It's also said that a chick lit book about a guy is flat-out not going to sell. 80 percent of book-buyers are women. Guys don't buy. But books like "High Fidelity" will sell because even though they're written by a guy and about a guy, they could appeal to women.
The funny thing about some of these rules, though -- they vary from agent to agent. I've heard agents contradict each other on some of them. What one agent or publisher may see as a drawback, others may love.
Ultimately, a great book will sell no matter what. If it's anything less than great, it has to have a readymade market.
But you already knew that publishing was complicated, didn't you?
12/18/2006
12/16/2006
Playing on the rug
It's rare these days that I wake up on a Saturday or Sunday morning with nothing to do. But occasionally I do. And when I do, I flash back to the days in elementary school when a Saturday or Sunday with nothing to do meant I would roll onto my rug and spend the day happily creating.
One day I remember especially was when I was maybe 10 or 11. The sky was sheer white, frozen, and flurries fell outside my window the entire day. There was a corner of my room left open, between my dresser and the wall, and I pulled a box up to it and sat behind it, in the corner. The box became my "desk" and the corner was my office. I spent the day drawing magazines, watching the flurries outside the window that was to my left.
My younger brother sat in his room next to mine and did the same thing. All day, we went to each other's offices and traded magazines. I drew some that I knew he'd go for -- "Pac Mag," about Pac-Man, and the "Tush Times," which included tushey world records and comic strips about a family of buttocks.
I had a tape dispenser on my desk and a little cup of pens, and I was completely happy.
Sometimes I miss such unfettered creativity, knowing I didn't have to worry about being published, that I could just draw whatever I wanted.
It's rare these days that I wake up on a Saturday or Sunday morning with nothing to do. But occasionally I do. And when I do, I flash back to the days in elementary school when a Saturday or Sunday with nothing to do meant I would roll onto my rug and spend the day happily creating.
One day I remember especially was when I was maybe 10 or 11. The sky was sheer white, frozen, and flurries fell outside my window the entire day. There was a corner of my room left open, between my dresser and the wall, and I pulled a box up to it and sat behind it, in the corner. The box became my "desk" and the corner was my office. I spent the day drawing magazines, watching the flurries outside the window that was to my left.
My younger brother sat in his room next to mine and did the same thing. All day, we went to each other's offices and traded magazines. I drew some that I knew he'd go for -- "Pac Mag," about Pac-Man, and the "Tush Times," which included tushey world records and comic strips about a family of buttocks.
I had a tape dispenser on my desk and a little cup of pens, and I was completely happy.
Sometimes I miss such unfettered creativity, knowing I didn't have to worry about being published, that I could just draw whatever I wanted.
12/15/2006
12/14/2006
12/13/2006
Behind
I'm behind on e-mails and pretty busy this week, so I apologize if you sent me something and I didn't respond yet. If it's really important and I somehow overlooked it, please feel free to e-mail me again. Otherwise, I'll catch up, I promise! I'm whittling down my in box.
Here's the aforementioned roast pig (he's the one in sunglasses).
It kind of tasted like turkey (maybe it was the seasoning.)
12/12/2006
12/11/2006
Various
I. Eating
I'm trying to get back on a bout of healthy eating after being tempted by so many delicious holiday treats, but that won't stop me from trying the ROAST SUCKLING PIG at my office holiday party this year. I've never had a RSP (Roast Suckling Pig) and I am very excited about it.
II. Titles
During my monthly visit to my writing group last week, some people said they liked the title of my writing project-in-progress, and some really didn't. It reminded me of when I started writing a kids' book in college called The Run of the Hills. The main character, Justin, was 10 and lived in Vermont and was pleased to run through the mountains. When I passed out part of the book in class, one person wrote next to the title, "Cliche." The title is NOT a cliche, though! Run of the MILL is, not run of the hills. The phrase itself only appears 50 times on the internet, in different contexts (and for the internet, 50 times on any phrase is pretty low.)
Just goes to show, you have to pay attention to criticism but still filter it through your net of experience and instincts.
III. This Is Not Chick Lit
Finally got ahold of the book This Is NOT Chick Lit. I'm really enjoying the stories so far. I'm not offended by the title or the intro or really much else about it; the intro even says good things about chick lit. I'll write more after I get further into it.
I'm glad that it got published. I doubt that chick lit was obscuring womens' literary fiction, but I think we can all stand to have both types of fiction on the shelves.
I. Eating
I'm trying to get back on a bout of healthy eating after being tempted by so many delicious holiday treats, but that won't stop me from trying the ROAST SUCKLING PIG at my office holiday party this year. I've never had a RSP (Roast Suckling Pig) and I am very excited about it.
II. Titles
During my monthly visit to my writing group last week, some people said they liked the title of my writing project-in-progress, and some really didn't. It reminded me of when I started writing a kids' book in college called The Run of the Hills. The main character, Justin, was 10 and lived in Vermont and was pleased to run through the mountains. When I passed out part of the book in class, one person wrote next to the title, "Cliche." The title is NOT a cliche, though! Run of the MILL is, not run of the hills. The phrase itself only appears 50 times on the internet, in different contexts (and for the internet, 50 times on any phrase is pretty low.)
Just goes to show, you have to pay attention to criticism but still filter it through your net of experience and instincts.
III. This Is Not Chick Lit
Finally got ahold of the book This Is NOT Chick Lit. I'm really enjoying the stories so far. I'm not offended by the title or the intro or really much else about it; the intro even says good things about chick lit. I'll write more after I get further into it.
I'm glad that it got published. I doubt that chick lit was obscuring womens' literary fiction, but I think we can all stand to have both types of fiction on the shelves.
12/09/2006
Eggnog
I just got back from my monthly writers' group meeting, where I had my first and last glass of eggnog for the year. I love eggnog, but it has to be saved for special occasions. This was "light" eggnog, but probably still not very light. I have also enjoyed soy nog.
I have met many people who do not like eggnog. Sorry, you are missing out!
Oh, by the way, no, there wasn't alcohol in it. I like it by itself.
I just got back from my monthly writers' group meeting, where I had my first and last glass of eggnog for the year. I love eggnog, but it has to be saved for special occasions. This was "light" eggnog, but probably still not very light. I have also enjoyed soy nog.
I have met many people who do not like eggnog. Sorry, you are missing out!
Oh, by the way, no, there wasn't alcohol in it. I like it by itself.
12/08/2006
More author snark
Gawker has a periodic feature that makes fun of publishing. Two days ago, they listed some types of authors. They included this paragraph:
Chick-Lit:
Type 1: Her favorite author is Bridget Jones. Oh! She totally means Helen Fielding. (Giggle)
Type 2: Please don't assume I'm like all the other chick lit writers. I'm just doing this for the money. I went to an Ivy League school, you know. I'm smarter than this.
Heh heh.
I wonder if I ever gave anyone that impression...I really am truly grateful to be part of the trend. Very grateful. I've said in the past that my book is different from other books out there, but it's an important part of marketing to show why your book is different and fresh. Hopefully every book I write is different from other people's books.
Still pretty funny.
In other news, I came across this fiesty paragraph in the Nov. 27 entry of Jennifer Weiner's blog and had to share...
"...the Observer points out that Flanagan’s much-ballyhooed TO HELL WITH ALL THAT sold a grand total of 8.700 copies. 8,700 copies would be a disappointing performance for a literary novel that was acquired for ten thousand dollars, written by a clubfooted, mute troll, and received zero review attention or publicity. For a book that was undoubtedly acquired for much more money, that was reviewed in the New York Times and the L.A. Times and the Wall Street Journal, and practically every other newspaper of note, whose media-savvy, witty, telegenic author was profiled in Elle and appeared everywhere from “The Today Show” to “The Colbert Report,” it’s flat-out shocking."
In other news...
I saw "Annie" last night at MSG and it was great, especially the scenery.
It's cold out. Please wear your hat and gloves today.
Gawker has a periodic feature that makes fun of publishing. Two days ago, they listed some types of authors. They included this paragraph:
Chick-Lit:
Type 1: Her favorite author is Bridget Jones. Oh! She totally means Helen Fielding. (Giggle)
Type 2: Please don't assume I'm like all the other chick lit writers. I'm just doing this for the money. I went to an Ivy League school, you know. I'm smarter than this.
Heh heh.
I wonder if I ever gave anyone that impression...I really am truly grateful to be part of the trend. Very grateful. I've said in the past that my book is different from other books out there, but it's an important part of marketing to show why your book is different and fresh. Hopefully every book I write is different from other people's books.
Still pretty funny.
In other news, I came across this fiesty paragraph in the Nov. 27 entry of Jennifer Weiner's blog and had to share...
"...the Observer points out that Flanagan’s much-ballyhooed TO HELL WITH ALL THAT sold a grand total of 8.700 copies. 8,700 copies would be a disappointing performance for a literary novel that was acquired for ten thousand dollars, written by a clubfooted, mute troll, and received zero review attention or publicity. For a book that was undoubtedly acquired for much more money, that was reviewed in the New York Times and the L.A. Times and the Wall Street Journal, and practically every other newspaper of note, whose media-savvy, witty, telegenic author was profiled in Elle and appeared everywhere from “The Today Show” to “The Colbert Report,” it’s flat-out shocking."
In other news...
I saw "Annie" last night at MSG and it was great, especially the scenery.
It's cold out. Please wear your hat and gloves today.
12/07/2006
From bad to worse
I was curious if people have started coming up with Taco Bell jokes, so I went on a Google search.
After these were the first two items that came up, I wished I hadn't.
The following is not suitable for those under 18 or over 65 (or, come to think of it in between.)
Update: PHOTO TWO HAS BEEN DELETED because it is degrading to Chihuahuas.
There are more important things to talk about - like "Annie!"
I was curious if people have started coming up with Taco Bell jokes, so I went on a Google search.
After these were the first two items that came up, I wished I hadn't.
The following is not suitable for those under 18 or over 65 (or, come to think of it in between.)
Update: PHOTO TWO HAS BEEN DELETED because it is degrading to Chihuahuas.
There are more important things to talk about - like "Annie!"
12/06/2006
Writing update
I'm still waiting to hear back from editors on both of my book projects - one for teens, one for adults. I finished both of them in August, my agent sent them out in September, and I'm still waiting to hear from the majority of editors on them. Yes, it DOES take this long!
Part of the reason is this: It takes a long time to read piles of manuscripts, and certainly a long time for publishers to decide whether to invest $10K and a year or more to publish someone. We writers always do have to anticipate months of waiting.
Of course, some books have sold in a matter of days. It's the exception rather than the rule, but it happens.
I want to give my agent the many-years-in-progress book soon, but I really should wait until I finish hearing about these other things.
Here is a nice summary on Saturday's chick lit panel, appearing on Galleycat.com. Thanks to Ron Hogan for writing about us.
Also thanks to my friends who turned out, especially the Boy for being so supportive, and even a few of the cupcake panel people for staying late.
I'm still waiting to hear back from editors on both of my book projects - one for teens, one for adults. I finished both of them in August, my agent sent them out in September, and I'm still waiting to hear from the majority of editors on them. Yes, it DOES take this long!
Part of the reason is this: It takes a long time to read piles of manuscripts, and certainly a long time for publishers to decide whether to invest $10K and a year or more to publish someone. We writers always do have to anticipate months of waiting.
Of course, some books have sold in a matter of days. It's the exception rather than the rule, but it happens.
I want to give my agent the many-years-in-progress book soon, but I really should wait until I finish hearing about these other things.
Here is a nice summary on Saturday's chick lit panel, appearing on Galleycat.com. Thanks to Ron Hogan for writing about us.
Also thanks to my friends who turned out, especially the Boy for being so supportive, and even a few of the cupcake panel people for staying late.
12/04/2006
The hills are alive
For all of those wondering, the Sound of Music will air this year on ABC on Dec. 23. They're not allowed to cut it the way they used to, because now it's in some sort of historic film registry. So you get the full four hours, and all of screenwriter Ernest Lehman's funny asides.
On MAD TV last week, they aired a parody of "extras" from the 40th anniv DVD, with alternate endings. Warning: May not be suitable to watch at work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nbIO-25Svg
In other holiday-special news, Rudolph is on this Friday at 8 p.m. I always want the Misfit Toys to be rescued, and they do. Hooray!
Thanks to all who attended my panel on Saturday. It was great fun.
For all of those wondering, the Sound of Music will air this year on ABC on Dec. 23. They're not allowed to cut it the way they used to, because now it's in some sort of historic film registry. So you get the full four hours, and all of screenwriter Ernest Lehman's funny asides.
On MAD TV last week, they aired a parody of "extras" from the 40th anniv DVD, with alternate endings. Warning: May not be suitable to watch at work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nbIO-25Svg
In other holiday-special news, Rudolph is on this Friday at 8 p.m. I always want the Misfit Toys to be rescued, and they do. Hooray!
Thanks to all who attended my panel on Saturday. It was great fun.
12/02/2006
Good morning! Here's your itinerary
Okay, maybe not, but here's the address for today's panel. If you come, please try to be positive so we can keep our hungry authors selling their books!
December 2 & 3, Independent and Small Press Book Fair hosts over 100 top-notch presses & leading authors from Nation Books, PEN American & New York's literary & political scene, including: Relentless Aaron, Dore Ashton, Amiri Baraka, Jennifer Baumgardner, Colin Channer, T. Cooper, Michael Cunningham, Luis Francia, Steve Freeman, Matthea Harvey, C*ren Lis*ner, Joe Meno, Jonas Mekas, Mark Crispin Miller, Eileen Myles, Sara Nelson, Greg Palast, Rachel Pine, Peter Plate, Katha Pollitt, Eyal Press, Paul Robeson, Jr., Martha Southgate, David Levi Strauss, Anne Waldman and much more.
(*yes, I added asterisks to make it harder to Google this blog. But I am on the list...)
Free Admission ($1 suggested donation). The address is 20 West 44th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, Manhattan. Tel: 212/764-7021.
Hours: 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. For a complete list of panels and events please click here.
Events at the Book FairSaturday, December 2
11:00 am to 12:45 pm - Readings from selected small press authors
11: 00 am to 12:00 pm - Here’s lookin’ at you, cupcake
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - Chick Lit: More than just Bridget and Blahniks
1:00 pm to 2:00 - Partner with your publisher: How not to feel @#%*!ed whenyour book comes out...
Okay, maybe not, but here's the address for today's panel. If you come, please try to be positive so we can keep our hungry authors selling their books!
December 2 & 3, Independent and Small Press Book Fair hosts over 100 top-notch presses & leading authors from Nation Books, PEN American & New York's literary & political scene, including: Relentless Aaron, Dore Ashton, Amiri Baraka, Jennifer Baumgardner, Colin Channer, T. Cooper, Michael Cunningham, Luis Francia, Steve Freeman, Matthea Harvey, C*ren Lis*ner, Joe Meno, Jonas Mekas, Mark Crispin Miller, Eileen Myles, Sara Nelson, Greg Palast, Rachel Pine, Peter Plate, Katha Pollitt, Eyal Press, Paul Robeson, Jr., Martha Southgate, David Levi Strauss, Anne Waldman and much more.
(*yes, I added asterisks to make it harder to Google this blog. But I am on the list...)
Free Admission ($1 suggested donation). The address is 20 West 44th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, Manhattan. Tel: 212/764-7021.
Hours: 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. For a complete list of panels and events please click here.
Events at the Book FairSaturday, December 2
11:00 am to 12:45 pm - Readings from selected small press authors
11: 00 am to 12:00 pm - Here’s lookin’ at you, cupcake
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - Chick Lit: More than just Bridget and Blahniks
1:00 pm to 2:00 - Partner with your publisher: How not to feel @#%*!ed whenyour book comes out...
12/01/2006
Jumping through hOOps
When I applied to graduate schools (a long time ago, and no, I didn't go), I was incensed by the fact that each school expected me to get three recommendations from former professors. I'd been out of college for seven years, and I didn't think my freshman year English seminar professor would remember me, nor would my junior year political science prof who'd had 400 people in class.
It's okay to get recommendations while you're still an undergrad if you're planning to apply to grad school right after graduation, but if you've been out of school for a while and gathering real-world experience, it's a terrible burden to put on both applicants and professors. Especially if you're applying to a lot of schools.
And now, I'm finding something else irksome - having to write the recommendations. Three people have asked me to write them recommendation letters for grad school in writing or journalism. I am *HAPPY* to do it, as they are all good people. But some of these schools required me to attach their own form to the recommendation letter. So I have had to continually check off things like whether the applicant is, as compared with others I've known:
Academically _in the top 1 percent, _in the top 5 percent, _ in the top 20 percent
Good-smelling _in the top 1 percent, _top 5 percent, _top 20 percent
Sexiness _in the top 1 percent, _top 5 percent, _top 47.8 percent
etc. If these people were applying to one school only, it wouldn't be so hard. But some are applying to 10+ schools. Which I guess these schools would like to discourage, but hey, you have to give people options, right? Especially when they need to compare financial aid offers, etc.
The other hard thing is writing recommendations for each person and having to dig up exactly when the person was hired, and other specifics. So I left those parts blank and e-mailed the letters to the applicants I'm writing letters for, so they could fill in the details. Then they e-mailed my letters back to me. You may say, "Well, then you're giving the applicants an unfair advantage because they see what you're writing," but I'm sure there are other applicants getting far bigger boosts out there. And they are competing with my applicants.
Anyway, maybe I'm just whining, but I wish grad schools would keep it simple when asking for letters of recommendation. Otherwise it's an unfair burden on the applicant, as well as the professional person he or she asks to recommend him or her.
I never realized how hard it was to bug my professors and bosses to take time to sit down and write me a rec - and I felt bad doing it as it was.
When I applied to graduate schools (a long time ago, and no, I didn't go), I was incensed by the fact that each school expected me to get three recommendations from former professors. I'd been out of college for seven years, and I didn't think my freshman year English seminar professor would remember me, nor would my junior year political science prof who'd had 400 people in class.
It's okay to get recommendations while you're still an undergrad if you're planning to apply to grad school right after graduation, but if you've been out of school for a while and gathering real-world experience, it's a terrible burden to put on both applicants and professors. Especially if you're applying to a lot of schools.
And now, I'm finding something else irksome - having to write the recommendations. Three people have asked me to write them recommendation letters for grad school in writing or journalism. I am *HAPPY* to do it, as they are all good people. But some of these schools required me to attach their own form to the recommendation letter. So I have had to continually check off things like whether the applicant is, as compared with others I've known:
Academically _in the top 1 percent, _in the top 5 percent, _ in the top 20 percent
Good-smelling _in the top 1 percent, _top 5 percent, _top 20 percent
Sexiness _in the top 1 percent, _top 5 percent, _top 47.8 percent
etc. If these people were applying to one school only, it wouldn't be so hard. But some are applying to 10+ schools. Which I guess these schools would like to discourage, but hey, you have to give people options, right? Especially when they need to compare financial aid offers, etc.
The other hard thing is writing recommendations for each person and having to dig up exactly when the person was hired, and other specifics. So I left those parts blank and e-mailed the letters to the applicants I'm writing letters for, so they could fill in the details. Then they e-mailed my letters back to me. You may say, "Well, then you're giving the applicants an unfair advantage because they see what you're writing," but I'm sure there are other applicants getting far bigger boosts out there. And they are competing with my applicants.
Anyway, maybe I'm just whining, but I wish grad schools would keep it simple when asking for letters of recommendation. Otherwise it's an unfair burden on the applicant, as well as the professional person he or she asks to recommend him or her.
I never realized how hard it was to bug my professors and bosses to take time to sit down and write me a rec - and I felt bad doing it as it was.
11/30/2006
11/29/2006
Writing update
I worked on my many-years-in-progress book yesterday, reading a printout of the beginning and making more minor changes. Now I have to print them out again and see if they made things better, or worse.
Will I ever be satisfied? Sure. I'll be happy with being 95 percent satisfied. I can't give it to my agent now anyway. I have to wait until I hear back on the two other books I have out to editors.
I worked on my many-years-in-progress book yesterday, reading a printout of the beginning and making more minor changes. Now I have to print them out again and see if they made things better, or worse.
Will I ever be satisfied? Sure. I'll be happy with being 95 percent satisfied. I can't give it to my agent now anyway. I have to wait until I hear back on the two other books I have out to editors.
11/28/2006
Mike White Appreciation Club
Do you know who Mike White is? His name is generic, and so are his looks, but his comedy writing is fresh and original. If you go to the movies to see a comedy that you think is going to be stupid, and it turns out to be surprisingly funny, then it might well have been written by Mike White.
Besides being a screenwriter, Mike White also is a character actor who appears in small roles in some of his films, with his light blonde hair and meek, innocent-seeming looks.
He wrote "Orange County," which seemed like it was going to be stupid, but it surprised me because I found it actually funny, with non-trite humor and sweet characters. He wrote "School of Rock" as a vehicle for Jack Black, a friend he often collaborates with - and he played a teacher in that movie. He wrote "Nacho Libre," which I confess I haven't seen, also as a vehicle for Jack Black.
More importantly, he wrote two films I really enjoyed - a subtly humorous black comedy called "The Good Girl" starring Jennifer Aniston (I encourage you to see it) and his indie film, the disturbing but poignant "Chuck and Buck." He had a minor role in the first one and a major role in the second one.
I read on Wikipedia that Mike's father was a preacher who used to write speeches for the religious right, then eventually came out of the closet and now preaches for gay rights. Interesting. I also found out that Mike was a writer and producer for Dawson's Creek in the late '90s. He's a friend of and collaborates with Jack Black as well as the Weitz brothers ("American Pie.")
Anyway, I am writing today's entry in appreciation of the comedic stylings of Mike White, so that you may recognize and adore him when you see his oeuvres.
Do you know who Mike White is? His name is generic, and so are his looks, but his comedy writing is fresh and original. If you go to the movies to see a comedy that you think is going to be stupid, and it turns out to be surprisingly funny, then it might well have been written by Mike White.
Besides being a screenwriter, Mike White also is a character actor who appears in small roles in some of his films, with his light blonde hair and meek, innocent-seeming looks.
He wrote "Orange County," which seemed like it was going to be stupid, but it surprised me because I found it actually funny, with non-trite humor and sweet characters. He wrote "School of Rock" as a vehicle for Jack Black, a friend he often collaborates with - and he played a teacher in that movie. He wrote "Nacho Libre," which I confess I haven't seen, also as a vehicle for Jack Black.
More importantly, he wrote two films I really enjoyed - a subtly humorous black comedy called "The Good Girl" starring Jennifer Aniston (I encourage you to see it) and his indie film, the disturbing but poignant "Chuck and Buck." He had a minor role in the first one and a major role in the second one.
I read on Wikipedia that Mike's father was a preacher who used to write speeches for the religious right, then eventually came out of the closet and now preaches for gay rights. Interesting. I also found out that Mike was a writer and producer for Dawson's Creek in the late '90s. He's a friend of and collaborates with Jack Black as well as the Weitz brothers ("American Pie.")
Anyway, I am writing today's entry in appreciation of the comedic stylings of Mike White, so that you may recognize and adore him when you see his oeuvres.
11/27/2006
Chick lit panel
Reminder: It's this Saturday at noon at the Small Press Book Fair, just two blocks from the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
And it's FREE!
http://www.smallpress.org/events/bookfair/2006/programs.asp
Although the market got oversaturated with the standard chick lit plot (single girl goes on lots of bad dates), there is still room for humorous women's fiction...so where do we go from here?
Come, enjoy, support your friendly writers, and have fun!
Reminder: It's this Saturday at noon at the Small Press Book Fair, just two blocks from the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
And it's FREE!
http://www.smallpress.org/events/bookfair/2006/programs.asp
Although the market got oversaturated with the standard chick lit plot (single girl goes on lots of bad dates), there is still room for humorous women's fiction...so where do we go from here?
Come, enjoy, support your friendly writers, and have fun!
11/26/2006
Thoughts
What is an "Unskinny Bop?" Why not just say Fat Bop?
I did have a good Thanksgiving - hope you did.
Conversation on phone with my mom:
MOM: Pigs are very smart animals. They're clean, too. They make good pets. The only thing is, if you get injured, they drink your blood.
ME: I told you that!
MOM: No, I told you that!
What is an "Unskinny Bop?" Why not just say Fat Bop?
I did have a good Thanksgiving - hope you did.
Conversation on phone with my mom:
MOM: Pigs are very smart animals. They're clean, too. They make good pets. The only thing is, if you get injured, they drink your blood.
ME: I told you that!
MOM: No, I told you that!
11/23/2006
11/22/2006
Nothing personal...
I was talking with a friend about blogging yesterday, and the topic of getting too personal in a blog came up. I don't think there's any benefit at all from it -- except for the fact that it's more entertaining for your readers. But most of them just read personal blogs the way they look at an accident. It can cause a lot more harm than good. I think offering your most private thoughts and actions as internet bait is risky.
With that in mind, I offer some thanks without getting too personal:
Thankful
I am thankful that I have some wonderful, kind, giving people in my life.
I am especially thankful that I met the Boy, who is definitely wonderful, kind and giving.
I am thankful that no one close to me is very sick right now.
I am thankful that I have a stable job where I've been for a long time. I remember how awful and degrading job-hunting could be. Not to mention being broke.
I am thankful that I have a warm place to go every night and every day, for work or play.
I am thankful that my dog Meg lived for 14 years and got and gave 14 years of hugs.
I am thankful that someone actually paid me to read my words (more than once!) It may or may not ever happen again, but I appreciate it.
I could think of 100 more things, but I just want to thank you.
I was talking with a friend about blogging yesterday, and the topic of getting too personal in a blog came up. I don't think there's any benefit at all from it -- except for the fact that it's more entertaining for your readers. But most of them just read personal blogs the way they look at an accident. It can cause a lot more harm than good. I think offering your most private thoughts and actions as internet bait is risky.
With that in mind, I offer some thanks without getting too personal:
Thankful
I am thankful that I have some wonderful, kind, giving people in my life.
I am especially thankful that I met the Boy, who is definitely wonderful, kind and giving.
I am thankful that no one close to me is very sick right now.
I am thankful that I have a stable job where I've been for a long time. I remember how awful and degrading job-hunting could be. Not to mention being broke.
I am thankful that I have a warm place to go every night and every day, for work or play.
I am thankful that my dog Meg lived for 14 years and got and gave 14 years of hugs.
I am thankful that someone actually paid me to read my words (more than once!) It may or may not ever happen again, but I appreciate it.
I could think of 100 more things, but I just want to thank you.
11/21/2006
Train wreck
I watched Kramer's appearance on Letterman tonight. It made a bad situation worse. He just kept rambling and made less and less sense as he went on. He would have been better off just saying he was sorry and that he'd talk about it more another day. Instead, he went into African-Americans being angered by what happened during & after Hurricane Katrina, which I guess if it was in a coherent context would have been ok, but he just looked incredibly confused and uncomfortable. The he talked about how African-Americans should take racism to task, and how "the rage inside of all of us" is a big problem - basically saying that the problem is that every one of us is a racist. Letterman stopped him at that point and changed the subject a bit.
There were also people laughing in the audience, probably because Kramer's attempt to be serious, with his odd pauses and stares into the camera, had the look and feel of a parody, as if it was Saturday Night Live making fun of him (which probably they will do this weekend). Jerry Seinfeld said to the audience, to stop them from laughing: "This isn't funny." Well, it wasn't, but probably the audience was just so uncomfortable that they didn't know how to react. Sometimes laughter is a nervous reaction to something really uncomfortable.
Anyway, the 'apology' was pretty weird. I'm sure it'll be widely available on YouTube today.
I watched Kramer's appearance on Letterman tonight. It made a bad situation worse. He just kept rambling and made less and less sense as he went on. He would have been better off just saying he was sorry and that he'd talk about it more another day. Instead, he went into African-Americans being angered by what happened during & after Hurricane Katrina, which I guess if it was in a coherent context would have been ok, but he just looked incredibly confused and uncomfortable. The he talked about how African-Americans should take racism to task, and how "the rage inside of all of us" is a big problem - basically saying that the problem is that every one of us is a racist. Letterman stopped him at that point and changed the subject a bit.
There were also people laughing in the audience, probably because Kramer's attempt to be serious, with his odd pauses and stares into the camera, had the look and feel of a parody, as if it was Saturday Night Live making fun of him (which probably they will do this weekend). Jerry Seinfeld said to the audience, to stop them from laughing: "This isn't funny." Well, it wasn't, but probably the audience was just so uncomfortable that they didn't know how to react. Sometimes laughter is a nervous reaction to something really uncomfortable.
Anyway, the 'apology' was pretty weird. I'm sure it'll be widely available on YouTube today.
A New Deal for Xmas
The sun'll come out
December seventh
because I'm going to see "Annie" in NYC
on December seventh!
There'll be sun.
Just thinking about
seeing Annie
clears away the cobwebs
and warms my fanny!
Come what may...
O Annie
O Annie
I love seeing
Annie
it's only 17 days
away.
Well, sorry you had to read that, but look on the bright side...
You didn't have to hear me sing!
Now that's something to be thankful for this year.
Furthermore
Maybe I was suspicious of the shooting below because it reminds me of this famous Boston case.
Update: Okay, why mince words - the guy probably did it himself, or hired someone to do it. It wasn't some mysterious "6-foot Hispanic man" who emerged from the shadows. Besides the sketchy details that are setting my journalistic alarms off:
1. The Post was all over this story, just like with John Mark Karr. However, responsible papers are being careful and attributing everything "According to police, the guy told them he was attacked...." rather than "according to police, the guy was attacked." They are qualifying everything. Some are even using "claimed he was shot..." rather than "said" he was shot.
Lest you believe police would not release this story if they didn't believe it themselves - yes they would. They can't release the fact that they think the fellow did it himself or hired the hit man who did it. That would hinder the investigation. If the press convicts him, the police have less chance of getting him comfortable enough to confess.
2. I guess I said everything in #1.
Coming tomorrow
Things I'm thankful for.
The sun'll come out
December seventh
because I'm going to see "Annie" in NYC
on December seventh!
There'll be sun.
Just thinking about
seeing Annie
clears away the cobwebs
and warms my fanny!
Come what may...
O Annie
O Annie
I love seeing
Annie
it's only 17 days
away.
Well, sorry you had to read that, but look on the bright side...
You didn't have to hear me sing!
Now that's something to be thankful for this year.
Furthermore
Maybe I was suspicious of the shooting below because it reminds me of this famous Boston case.
Update: Okay, why mince words - the guy probably did it himself, or hired someone to do it. It wasn't some mysterious "6-foot Hispanic man" who emerged from the shadows. Besides the sketchy details that are setting my journalistic alarms off:
1. The Post was all over this story, just like with John Mark Karr. However, responsible papers are being careful and attributing everything "According to police, the guy told them he was attacked...." rather than "according to police, the guy was attacked." They are qualifying everything. Some are even using "claimed he was shot..." rather than "said" he was shot.
Lest you believe police would not release this story if they didn't believe it themselves - yes they would. They can't release the fact that they think the fellow did it himself or hired the hit man who did it. That would hinder the investigation. If the press convicts him, the police have less chance of getting him comfortable enough to confess.
2. I guess I said everything in #1.
Coming tomorrow
Things I'm thankful for.
11/20/2006
Between the lines
Just like the John Mark Karr story, here is another story that doesn't pass the smell test. How much do you want to bet that the guy confesses in a few days to either having hired the shooter, or there is no shooter at all? [Editor's note: Someone asked me how there could be no shooter if they got shot. I meant, no outside shooter - sorry. Other than the dude himself.]
New Castle, NY -- A husband and wife who live on the same cul-de-sac as former President Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton have been shot after being forced off the road. Police say Carlos and Peggy Perez-Olivo were driving back to their home in Chappaqua, New York, from Manhattan Saturday night when a car cut in front of their SUV. A man with a gun got out, got into the SUV and struggled with Carlos Perez-Olivo. Peggy Perez-Olivo was shot in the head. Her husband was shot in the abdomen but managed to drive to the hospital. Police say they don't have a motive.
Just like the John Mark Karr story, here is another story that doesn't pass the smell test. How much do you want to bet that the guy confesses in a few days to either having hired the shooter, or there is no shooter at all? [Editor's note: Someone asked me how there could be no shooter if they got shot. I meant, no outside shooter - sorry. Other than the dude himself.]
New Castle, NY -- A husband and wife who live on the same cul-de-sac as former President Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton have been shot after being forced off the road. Police say Carlos and Peggy Perez-Olivo were driving back to their home in Chappaqua, New York, from Manhattan Saturday night when a car cut in front of their SUV. A man with a gun got out, got into the SUV and struggled with Carlos Perez-Olivo. Peggy Perez-Olivo was shot in the head. Her husband was shot in the abdomen but managed to drive to the hospital. Police say they don't have a motive.
11/18/2006
11/17/2006
11/16/2006
Lights
I am always moved by a family who puts up a holiday display outside their home -- it's like they go to all this work just to bring cheer to strangers. Especially a holiday like Thanksgiving that normally doesn't elicit decorations. Thanks to the people a few blocks from me who did this. There are some Halloween lights in the window too.
I have a lot to be thankful for this year, way more than just turkey...
Interesting writing links
Below is a link to a somewhat frustrated post by young-adult agent Nadia Cornier, on why she gets so personal on her blog. This post was a reaction to someone who criticized her for being too personal. But also has interesting comments on the writing industry, and why she became an agent instead of a writer:
http://agentobscura.livejournal.com/66859.html
Here is an article published in the Village Voice this week on the struggles of writers who are published at a young age, like Ned Vizzini who briefly ended up in a psych ward last year:
http://www.villagevoice.com/arts/0646,wigginton,75019,12.html
TV or not TV
I am enjoying Season 6 of the Sopranos. Fast forward over the dream sequences and it's riveting.
Still have to catch the special "General Hospital" today.
Luv that guv
Yesterday evening, I managed to snag a copy of James McGreevey's book "The Confession" from the local library (Sorry but I didn't want to buy it). Here is a quote from page 233:
"When we finished our lovemaking, our thoughts returned to the enormous task we shared, building an administration from scratch in just two months, governing in a post-9/11 world."
Wow. Most people would have just smoked a cigarette.
11/15/2006
Love in the Afternoon
I'm not quite sure how any of us can go to work on Thursday, seeing how General Hospital is going to be airing some sort of "commemorative" episode at 3 p.m. in honor of the 25th anniversary of Luke & Laura's wedding. Okay, I'll just tape it like any normal person.
What is so special about those two? Their dialogue was just funny and magical. Plus, they hold a special place in my heart because they were on right after school every day when I was about 11 years old - good timing.
I'm sure all boys will hate today's entry, but at least I didn't write about Sex And the City.
Note: There are some updates on yesterday's entry if you look below.
I'm not quite sure how any of us can go to work on Thursday, seeing how General Hospital is going to be airing some sort of "commemorative" episode at 3 p.m. in honor of the 25th anniversary of Luke & Laura's wedding. Okay, I'll just tape it like any normal person.
What is so special about those two? Their dialogue was just funny and magical. Plus, they hold a special place in my heart because they were on right after school every day when I was about 11 years old - good timing.
I'm sure all boys will hate today's entry, but at least I didn't write about Sex And the City.
Note: There are some updates on yesterday's entry if you look below.
11/14/2006
Customer disservice
Update: A reader writes: I moonlight as security at one of those huge service centers. I can tell you from experience, there are very few accidents. Most likely when they cut you off, they either had a really hot poker hand, needed a smoke break, or their pizza had just arrived. quality help, like a good man, is hard to find. And the turnover rate here is horrendous. ...xo.
Update 2: I just got my weekly rundown of manuscripts that were sold this week. Maybe when this one comes out, it will sheld light on the situation: Emily Yellin's YOUR CALL IS (NOT THAT) IMPORTANT TO US, an investigative narrative about the customer service industry, from outsourced IT helpdesks in India, to Mormon housewives taking reservations for JetBlue, to the corporate boardrooms where the policies that make customer service experiences so frustrating are made, to Liz Stein at Free Press, for publication in fall 2008, by Jennifer Gates at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth Literary Agency (NA).
Making calls to customer service allows one to engage in many rewarding opportunities: being rerouted to difference voice-operated options, having to say long strings of numbers into the phone, and explaining a complex situation to three different people. All of that is fine; I can handle that. What I hate is that they can finally understand your situation, be in the process of resolving it, accidentally hang up on you, and then when you call back -- if you are lucky enough to even remember the person's name -- they won't put you back on with that same person. Nor will that person call you back to finish the process. You are expected to completely start over, even though they accidentally hung up on you.
I think it would be a big improvement in customer service (we're talking phone service, gas, cable, internet, any service business) if the person on the other end can ask you for the number you're at so that if you somehow get cut off (meaning, they don't know how to properly put you on hold), then can call you back and pick up where you left off.
I always ask for their name first thing now, so that I have proof that I actually talked to someone. In case you don't already do that, I encourage you to do the same.
I hope you have a most pleasant day.
O.P.P. (Other People's Projects)
From time to time, hopeful writers e-mail me and ask me if I can read their writing projects and give them feedback. I always tell them that my opinion isn't much more valuable than anyone else's, but I'm happy to help if they look at it in that context. Years ago, I used to always read their creations (well, not the whole thing, but perhaps a few chapters) because I was in the same place not so long ago, just desperately wishing someone would read my writing and publish me. And now I still want to read people's stuff, but this is what happens:
1. I download the file and get too busy to read it.
2. See 1.
So these days, I tell them to send the first five pages. I can tell a lot based on five pages, and that way, I get to it quicker.
Update: A reader writes: I moonlight as security at one of those huge service centers. I can tell you from experience, there are very few accidents. Most likely when they cut you off, they either had a really hot poker hand, needed a smoke break, or their pizza had just arrived. quality help, like a good man, is hard to find. And the turnover rate here is horrendous. ...xo.
Update 2: I just got my weekly rundown of manuscripts that were sold this week. Maybe when this one comes out, it will sheld light on the situation: Emily Yellin's YOUR CALL IS (NOT THAT) IMPORTANT TO US, an investigative narrative about the customer service industry, from outsourced IT helpdesks in India, to Mormon housewives taking reservations for JetBlue, to the corporate boardrooms where the policies that make customer service experiences so frustrating are made, to Liz Stein at Free Press, for publication in fall 2008, by Jennifer Gates at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth Literary Agency (NA).
Making calls to customer service allows one to engage in many rewarding opportunities: being rerouted to difference voice-operated options, having to say long strings of numbers into the phone, and explaining a complex situation to three different people. All of that is fine; I can handle that. What I hate is that they can finally understand your situation, be in the process of resolving it, accidentally hang up on you, and then when you call back -- if you are lucky enough to even remember the person's name -- they won't put you back on with that same person. Nor will that person call you back to finish the process. You are expected to completely start over, even though they accidentally hung up on you.
I think it would be a big improvement in customer service (we're talking phone service, gas, cable, internet, any service business) if the person on the other end can ask you for the number you're at so that if you somehow get cut off (meaning, they don't know how to properly put you on hold), then can call you back and pick up where you left off.
I always ask for their name first thing now, so that I have proof that I actually talked to someone. In case you don't already do that, I encourage you to do the same.
I hope you have a most pleasant day.
O.P.P. (Other People's Projects)
From time to time, hopeful writers e-mail me and ask me if I can read their writing projects and give them feedback. I always tell them that my opinion isn't much more valuable than anyone else's, but I'm happy to help if they look at it in that context. Years ago, I used to always read their creations (well, not the whole thing, but perhaps a few chapters) because I was in the same place not so long ago, just desperately wishing someone would read my writing and publish me. And now I still want to read people's stuff, but this is what happens:
1. I download the file and get too busy to read it.
2. See 1.
So these days, I tell them to send the first five pages. I can tell a lot based on five pages, and that way, I get to it quicker.
11/13/2006
Good morning!
I know it's Monday, but try to hang in there.
I think a sudden wind almost just blew my window in.
I'm in an apologetic mood, so I might as well apologize for the boringness of today's entry:
Mon·day (mnd, -d) n. Abbr. Mon. or M
The second day of the week.[Middle English, from Old English Mnandæg(translation of Latin lnae dis, day of the moon) : mnan, genitive of mna, moon; see moon + dæg, day; see day.]
At least it's educational.
Over the weekend, someone e-mailed to ask if the chick lit panel is free and open to anyone. Yes it is, although there's a $1 suggested donation. Here are other panels going on that day.
http://www.smallpress.org/events/bookfair/2006/programs.asp
Incidentally, I also want to say hello to the most adorable boy in the world.
Cheers, all!
I know it's Monday, but try to hang in there.
I think a sudden wind almost just blew my window in.
I'm in an apologetic mood, so I might as well apologize for the boringness of today's entry:
Mon·day (mnd, -d) n. Abbr. Mon. or M
The second day of the week.[Middle English, from Old English Mnandæg(translation of Latin lnae dis, day of the moon) : mnan, genitive of mna, moon; see moon + dæg, day; see day.]
At least it's educational.
Over the weekend, someone e-mailed to ask if the chick lit panel is free and open to anyone. Yes it is, although there's a $1 suggested donation. Here are other panels going on that day.
http://www.smallpress.org/events/bookfair/2006/programs.asp
Incidentally, I also want to say hello to the most adorable boy in the world.
Cheers, all!
11/10/2006
Chick lit, or something like it
The panel at the NY bookfair has been confirmed for Saturday, Dec. 2, in easily-accessible midtown Manhattan, noontime. There will also be booksignings. Here are details...
We are confirmed for
Saturday, December 2
12-1pm
Room 208 (second floor)
The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen (20West 44th Street--south side of street).
Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Caren (me) and Rachel Pine will be on the panel.
Here is the panel title and description:
CHICK LIT: MORE THAN JUST BRIDGET AND BLAHNIKS
The recent publication of two anthologies, THISIS CHICK LIT and THIS IS NOT CHICK LIT, has generated a lot of debate about a genre that is both beloved and hated. Join the editor of THISIS CHICK LIT, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, and authors Caren Lissner, Rachel Pine, and others for a lively discussion of the phenomenon.
What is the future of chick lit? Well, even if it's more like general "humorous women's fiction" now, we definitely still need something like it around. The throngs of people heading into bookstores next June probably won't all want to bring Thomas Pynchon on their next pleasure trip! (Well, at least, not Mason & Dixon.)
The panel at the NY bookfair has been confirmed for Saturday, Dec. 2, in easily-accessible midtown Manhattan, noontime. There will also be booksignings. Here are details...
We are confirmed for
Saturday, December 2
12-1pm
Room 208 (second floor)
The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen (20West 44th Street--south side of street).
Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Caren (me) and Rachel Pine will be on the panel.
Here is the panel title and description:
CHICK LIT: MORE THAN JUST BRIDGET AND BLAHNIKS
The recent publication of two anthologies, THISIS CHICK LIT and THIS IS NOT CHICK LIT, has generated a lot of debate about a genre that is both beloved and hated. Join the editor of THISIS CHICK LIT, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, and authors Caren Lissner, Rachel Pine, and others for a lively discussion of the phenomenon.
What is the future of chick lit? Well, even if it's more like general "humorous women's fiction" now, we definitely still need something like it around. The throngs of people heading into bookstores next June probably won't all want to bring Thomas Pynchon on their next pleasure trip! (Well, at least, not Mason & Dixon.)
11/09/2006
Books
Remember that book I was working on for several years? I took six months off from it and then went back to it in August. I revised on it an awful lot and just sent the new version to my friend in California to give me feedback on. It's leaner and better now.
But I can't let myself look at it again for a while. I can't read it objectively, and there's nothing I can do with it anyway. I'm still waiting to hear back on two other books, and if either of them sells, I'll be in a better position to ask an editor to look at this one.
Dum da dee dum. Publishing takes a long time.
Remember that book I was working on for several years? I took six months off from it and then went back to it in August. I revised on it an awful lot and just sent the new version to my friend in California to give me feedback on. It's leaner and better now.
But I can't let myself look at it again for a while. I can't read it objectively, and there's nothing I can do with it anyway. I'm still waiting to hear back on two other books, and if either of them sells, I'll be in a better position to ask an editor to look at this one.
Dum da dee dum. Publishing takes a long time.
11/08/2006
Writers' Vuja De
(n.) The fear that somewhere, someone is working on a book just like yours.
Related fear: Writers' Deja News: The fear that somewhere, a news event will happen that is similar to your book or movie project, scuttling it or causing serious problems. (For example, you are working on a novel about kids who shoot up their school, and then Columbine happens, meaning you either have to wait a few years and then revise it to account for that, or toss it completely.)
Just to prove how often Writers' Vuja De happens, check out this entry from Flux, a relatively new (and excellent) publisher of young-adult fiction:
http://www.fluxnow.com/blog_entry.php?blogid=17
Note: I really was trying to come up with a better term than Writers' Vuja De...something that combines something like "pen" or "ink" with deja vu. But nothing was working. Any thoughts? You might coin a term. You will get full credit!!
You can e-mail me via my webpage, www.carenlissner.com
In related news...
Obviously this applies to other arts. When people first started telling me about Weird Al's song "White and Nerdy," I thought, "Gee, isn't that the same concept of that Chronic-les of Narnia" song from Saturday Night Live? But I shouldn't have been so cynical, because if Weird Al's album just came out, then he was working on his songs waaaaay before the SNL geeks ever came up with their own white, nerdy rap song. I wonder if Al was a little frustrated when he heard it and worried that it would pre-empt his own song.
Luckily, there is great room in the arts for similarities if done right.
There is, after all, another movie on Truman Capote coming out this season. According to a recent New Yorker article, the screenwriter was more than a little anguished when the other one came out and got awards. But luckily, his came out too.
(n.) The fear that somewhere, someone is working on a book just like yours.
Related fear: Writers' Deja News: The fear that somewhere, a news event will happen that is similar to your book or movie project, scuttling it or causing serious problems. (For example, you are working on a novel about kids who shoot up their school, and then Columbine happens, meaning you either have to wait a few years and then revise it to account for that, or toss it completely.)
Just to prove how often Writers' Vuja De happens, check out this entry from Flux, a relatively new (and excellent) publisher of young-adult fiction:
http://www.fluxnow.com/blog_entry.php?blogid=17
Note: I really was trying to come up with a better term than Writers' Vuja De...something that combines something like "pen" or "ink" with deja vu. But nothing was working. Any thoughts? You might coin a term. You will get full credit!!
You can e-mail me via my webpage, www.carenlissner.com
In related news...
Obviously this applies to other arts. When people first started telling me about Weird Al's song "White and Nerdy," I thought, "Gee, isn't that the same concept of that Chronic-les of Narnia" song from Saturday Night Live? But I shouldn't have been so cynical, because if Weird Al's album just came out, then he was working on his songs waaaaay before the SNL geeks ever came up with their own white, nerdy rap song. I wonder if Al was a little frustrated when he heard it and worried that it would pre-empt his own song.
Luckily, there is great room in the arts for similarities if done right.
There is, after all, another movie on Truman Capote coming out this season. According to a recent New Yorker article, the screenwriter was more than a little anguished when the other one came out and got awards. But luckily, his came out too.
11/07/2006
11/06/2006
11/05/2006
11/04/2006
11/03/2006
Sopornos
Got your attention? Anyway, I just ordered the new season of the Sopranos, which comes out on DVD Nov. 7. Now I can watch all 12 episodes when I want instead of having to wait over three months. I'm skipping any dream sequences, though.
I primarily will be watching this on the treadmill. The suspense will likely keep me running and not as bored as usual. I bought a mini-DVD player to put in front of my treadmill last month.
The Boy said to me, "A lot of gyms are doing that now," but for some reason I heard it as, "A lot of Jews are doing that now."
Amazing animals
On another note, a guy I went to college with has started this venture - collectible animals. I like the cobras (oops, not asps as I originally guessed). Who says businessmen aren't creative?
Got your attention? Anyway, I just ordered the new season of the Sopranos, which comes out on DVD Nov. 7. Now I can watch all 12 episodes when I want instead of having to wait over three months. I'm skipping any dream sequences, though.
I primarily will be watching this on the treadmill. The suspense will likely keep me running and not as bored as usual. I bought a mini-DVD player to put in front of my treadmill last month.
The Boy said to me, "A lot of gyms are doing that now," but for some reason I heard it as, "A lot of Jews are doing that now."
Amazing animals
On another note, a guy I went to college with has started this venture - collectible animals. I like the cobras (oops, not asps as I originally guessed). Who says businessmen aren't creative?
11/02/2006
Today
What are you going to do today?
You have a lot of freedom today. It's a whole day to do what you want. A whole day.
Okay, not exactly what you want. You probably are going to work for most of the day. And if not, you probably already have a schedule of things you have to do.
But let's say that there's even an hour or two of free time today.
We have an incredible amount of freedom. Sometimes we forget the freedom we get by having two working legs, or enough money to buy what we want for lunch. We can dance a jig right now and no one is stopping us.
We can change the world today. Or maybe not the whole world, but change someone's life. Or maybe not change it, but help it a little. Even if we drop a quarter on the ground to make someone happy who finds it, or compliment someone at work on the job they did. Or call a friend or relative just to say hi and tell them what they mean to you.
What will happen today? It might not be a significant day at all. Or it might be terrible. We can try to be safe.
Two weeks ago, this 28-year-old guy was playing basketball on one of the local courts, and he jumped up and then fell down in an odd way and hit the ground and died. He didn't have an aneurysm or heart attack, no one pushed him; he just had a very unusual injury. He probably got up that morning and didn't think it would be any sort of unusual day.
There are 21.5 hours left in this day, as I write this. Fewer for you, but there are still some.
Most days, I don't think about how much freedom I really have, all the things I could do. I go days and weeks without thinking about it, and I'm sure you do too.
Even if it's something as small as smiling at a co-worker when I come into the office today, I might just try to do it because I can. Not to sound like Suzy Sunshine, but the ability to do such things is a really great gift, isn't it? Almost as great as a whole day - and we get 365 of them this year!
What are you going to do today?
You have a lot of freedom today. It's a whole day to do what you want. A whole day.
Okay, not exactly what you want. You probably are going to work for most of the day. And if not, you probably already have a schedule of things you have to do.
But let's say that there's even an hour or two of free time today.
We have an incredible amount of freedom. Sometimes we forget the freedom we get by having two working legs, or enough money to buy what we want for lunch. We can dance a jig right now and no one is stopping us.
We can change the world today. Or maybe not the whole world, but change someone's life. Or maybe not change it, but help it a little. Even if we drop a quarter on the ground to make someone happy who finds it, or compliment someone at work on the job they did. Or call a friend or relative just to say hi and tell them what they mean to you.
What will happen today? It might not be a significant day at all. Or it might be terrible. We can try to be safe.
Two weeks ago, this 28-year-old guy was playing basketball on one of the local courts, and he jumped up and then fell down in an odd way and hit the ground and died. He didn't have an aneurysm or heart attack, no one pushed him; he just had a very unusual injury. He probably got up that morning and didn't think it would be any sort of unusual day.
There are 21.5 hours left in this day, as I write this. Fewer for you, but there are still some.
Most days, I don't think about how much freedom I really have, all the things I could do. I go days and weeks without thinking about it, and I'm sure you do too.
Even if it's something as small as smiling at a co-worker when I come into the office today, I might just try to do it because I can. Not to sound like Suzy Sunshine, but the ability to do such things is a really great gift, isn't it? Almost as great as a whole day - and we get 365 of them this year!
11/01/2006
Letters of recommendation
Reminder to myself: In the next month, I have to write three letters of recommendation for people who want to go to grad school for writing.
Hmmm. Pay *me* the $20,000 per year instead, and I'll teach you everything I know.
Okay, okay, $100 then.
In other news...it's November! Happy Turkey month.
And I am not really posting this at 4:29 a.m.
Reminder to myself: In the next month, I have to write three letters of recommendation for people who want to go to grad school for writing.
Hmmm. Pay *me* the $20,000 per year instead, and I'll teach you everything I know.
Okay, okay, $100 then.
In other news...it's November! Happy Turkey month.
And I am not really posting this at 4:29 a.m.
